A/HRC/45/52 17. The Independent Expert encourages the Somali authorities and international financial institutions to conduct a human rights impact assessment of any structural adjustment policies adopted or programmes established. She also encourages them to respect fundamental economic, social and cultural rights, in line with the international human rights obligations of Somalia, by increasing the proportion of the budget allocated to the social sectors, thereby protecting the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalized segments of society. B. Humanitarian situation 18. The long-standing humanitarian crisis experienced by Somalia has been aggravated by three factors: the COVID-19 outbreak, the desert locusts and climate change-related effects such as severe droughts and floods, which in 2020 have left 5.2 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. These challenges have resulted in the further displacement of populations and exacerbated existing inequalities, discrimination and protection gaps. 11 The Independent Expert was informed of an upsurge in school dropout rates and in domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, with women and girls being disproportionately affected. 19. In 2019, the United Nations provided basic services to close to 1.2 million internally displaced persons and members of displacement-affected communities, most of whom had become displaced as a result of conflict and/or floods.12 While many of those displaced by the floods have returned to their homes, the impact remains widespread. Many others require support, as they have been stripped of their livelihood and social protection networks, are being forced to stay in overcrowded areas with others living in poverty and are at risk of eviction. 13 In addition, lack of access to basic health care and inadequate access to food, water and sanitation further increase their vulnerability and exposure to water-borne diseases, malaria and COVID-19. 20. In November 2019, the United Nations and the Federal Government launched a flood response plan and were able to provide some US$ 25 million in assistance to 350,538 persons. 14 In the same month, the Federal Government adopted the Interim Protocol on Land Distribution for Housing to Eligible Refugee-Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons, 2019, and the National Eviction Guidelines to prevent the forced eviction of internally displaced persons. 15 A month later, at the Global Refugee Forum, the Federal Government reiterated its commitment to finding durable solutions for refugees, internally displaced persons, refugee-returnees and other vulnerable populations.16 21. Early in December, Somalia was hit with the worst desert locust outbreak in over two decades, leading to the declaration of a national state of emergency on 2 February 2020. On 27 February, the Federal Government issued a desert locust crisis action plan in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, setting out activities to be carried out during the rest of the year. 17 While the heavy rains slowed the impact of the desert locusts, the 2020 crop harvest is expected to be 20–30 per cent lower than in previous years, further increasing the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition. 18 On 15 May 2020, the World Bank approved a grant of US$ 137.5 million to support recovery, in terms of both livelihoods and infrastructure, in flood- and drought-affected areas and to strengthen the Federal Government’s disaster preparedness.19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 6 S/2019/884, paras. 54–60; S/2020/121, paras. 60–67; and S/2020/398, paras. 59–65. UN Somalia: Country Results Report 2019, p. 33. S/2020/398, para. 61. S/2020/121, para. 61. UN Somalia: Country Results Report 2019, p. 26. Ibid., p. 12. S/2020/398, para. 62. See https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/under-secretary-general-humanitarian-affairs-and-emergencyrelief-coordinator-mark. See www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/05/15/world-bank-approves-137-5-million-for-