Somalia: Millions Exposed to Hunger, Displacement Due to Drought (UN)
Somalia is facing a rapidly worsening drought crisis. Large regions of the country have dried out after four failed rainy seasons, threatening the livelihoods of millions, and exposing them to hunger and forced displacement, UN humanitarians warned.
At least 4.4 million people are projected to endure acute food insecurity through December, while 1.85 million children under 5 years old could suffer from acute malnutrition through mid-2026, according to recent UN-linked analyses.
A UN assessment mission sent earlier in the month to the regions of Bari and Nugaal found that communities there are dealing with severe shortages of water and food. Residents warned that a large-scale catastrophe could strike in the coming months.
On 10 November, the Somali federal government officially declared a state of emergency due to drought and called for international aid, amid the deteriorating situation in northern, central, and southern regions, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported.
“Worsening drought poses a severe threat to communities already grappling with immense hardship and ongoing conflict. Urgent action is required to save lives, protect livelihoods, and prevent further suffering.” — FAO / Somali Disaster Management Agency Commissioner
As of 23 November, the 2025 humanitarian response plan for Somalia was reportedly only 23.7% funded, forcing significant cuts to essential aid. The number of people receiving emergency food assistance dropped from 1.1 million in August to only 350,000 this month, according to WFP data.
Climate forecasts indicate little immediate relief. The FAO warned that dry and hot conditions are expected to persist across most of the country—especially in central and northern regions—threatening to worsen water stress and prevent regeneration of grazing lands.
