Somalia’s drought crisis is deepening, with more than 4.6 million people — nearly a quarter of the population — affected by prolonged dry conditions, according to authorities and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
At least 120,000 people were displaced between September and December as water prices rose, food became scarce and livestock died. The situation is expected to worsen during the January–March dry season, with increased water shortages, further livestock losses and growing food insecurity. The next rainy season is not expected until April 2026.
The drought follows the failure of both the April–June and October–December rains. At least 170 boreholes and shallow wells have become non-functional nationwide, while more than 75,000 students have dropped out of school as families struggle to cope.
Humanitarian agencies are providing cash assistance, animal fodder and rehabilitating water sources, supported by a US$10 million allocation from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund targeting over 603,000 people. However, OCHA warned that funding remains critically low.
Somalia’s US$1.4 billion humanitarian response plan has received only about US$370 million, leaving major gaps in lifesaving aid as authorities and partners warn the coming months will be critical to avert further displacement and loss of life.
https://x.com/SoDMA_Somalia/status/2003096813231104445?s=20
