Severe drought conditions are unfolding in several regions of Somalia following the failure of the Deyr (October to December) rains, compounding an already serious humanitarian crisis. The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has allocated US$10 million from the UN Central Emergency Relief Fund for drought early action in Somalia, targeting over 603,000 people.

Appeals for support have come from multiple regions, with authorities calling for an urgent scale-up of assistance to avert the collapse of livelihoods, mitigate the impact of widespread water and food shortages, and contain possible loss of lives. Humanitarian partners are working with authorities to better understand the evolving crisis and plan how to respond despite limited resources due to funding reductions.

According to the FAO GIEWS (Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture) Special Alert on Somalia released on 24 November:

• Drought conditions in key southern cereal producing areas during October and the first half of November 2025 have negatively impacted the establishment and development of Deyr crops, expected to be harvested in January 2026.

• Dry conditions also prevailed in northern and central pastoral areas, already affected by two consecutive poor rainy seasons, worsening water and pasture shortages and severely affecting livestock.

• The drought is expected to aggravate the already difficult food insecurity situation, with about one-quarter of the population currently estimated to face severe acute food insecurity.

An urgent scale-up of livelihood support and food assistance is needed to avert the collapse of local livelihoods, widespread and severe food shortages, and loss of lives.

Update by area

Partners in Galmudug State have reported acute drought conditions, water scarcity, hunger and displacement in 13 villages in Hobyo district. Nine villages lack health services and have received no cash assistance for six months. On 18 November, authorities in Ceelbuur district reported that in 25 accessible villages bordering Guriceel town, 21 lack access to clean, safe water. The area has been under the influence of non-state armed groups for 15 years, with no major humanitarian activities, and is reportedly facing severe levels of hunger. The State faces a severe burden of acute malnutrition, with recent assessments indicating alarmingly high Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) prevalence among displaced and rural populations. Rates are exceptionally elevated, reaching 24.8 per cent among displaced people in Gaalkacyo and 20 per cent among those in Dhuusamarreeb, underscoring the critical nutrition crisis.

In Hirshabelle State, prolonged dry spells in Balcad district have disrupted livelihoods, reduced agricultural productivity, and worsened hunger; with an estimated 250,000 people impacted by the drought conditions. Livestock health has deteriorated, causing a drop in market prices. The eastern and coastal villages are hardest hit, with drought conditions persisting for four consecutive seasons, compounded by clan-based conflicts. An estimated 1,470 households (8,820 people) have reportedly been displaced from villages to Warsheikh town. Critical water shortages are reported in Hiilweyne village, affecting up to 1,500 households (9,000 people). Despite recent light rains, the area had experienced three consecutive seasons of poor precipitation. In Jowhar, prices of local food commodities—including maize, rice, beans, sesame and vegetables – have reportedly surged by 60 per cent.

Nearly all districts in Jubaland State have been affected by persistent drought conditions, according to partners, with Kismayo, Badhaadhe, Ceel Waaq, Bua’ale, Afmadow and Garbahaarey districts worst hit. In Dhobley, authorities report that the district has received newly displaced families from Middle Juba and rural villages; the numbers are yet to be verified. In Gedo region, an estimated 33,496 households (200,000 people) in Baardheere, Luuq, Belet Xaawo, Ceel Waaq, Doolow, Garbahaarey, and Buurdhuubo districts are reportedly facing critical water shortages due the cost of trucked water which has risen, with a 200-litre barrel costing US$6, up from $2.5 in some areas. Boreholes, shallow wells, and water pans are drying up. On 25 November, the Jubaland Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management released a rapid drought assessment report noting that an estimated 1.5 million people require aid, 78 per cent of households are facing food insecurity, and over 2 million livestock are at risk. Reportedly, communities are facing increasing health and livelihood challenges. Partners reported that more than 2,000 families have been displaced to Afmadow town; a situation compounded by ongoing armed conflict that has displaced about 4,000 families in Jamame district, Lower Juba.

On 10 November, Puntland State authorities appealed to humanitarian partners and donors to scale up the response to the drought conditions. According to the authorities, nearly one million people need support, including 130,000 in immediate need of assistance. A 23 November assessment by authorities in Jariiban district found that 1,370 people had been displaced to the district from Bari, Galgaduud, and Mudug south regions. Over 130 strategic boreholes were non-functional, and health services were insufficient due to funding constraints. Additionally, the Puntland State Ministry of Education and Education Cluster partners have reported the closure of 36 rural schools, affecting over 26,500 learners; more are expected to close as the drought conditions persist. Across Puntland, an estimated 50,000 people have moved from rural villages to urban centres. Reports indicate that some affected people have migrated to the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia in search of water and pasture for their livestock.

On 18 November, South West State authorities warned that dry conditions have caused severe water scarcity, widespread crop failure, and increased livestock diseases in Bay, Bakool, and Lower Shabelle regions. Pastoral and agro-pastoral households have exhausted their coping mechanisms, and displaced populations are at heightened risk of further hardship. In one of the hardest hit districts, Waajid in Bakool, water prices have risen to US$1.7 per 200-liter barrel, up from $0.5. The authorities have called for emergency water supply and rehabilitation of boreholes; food and cash assistance to severely affected households; livestock feed and veterinary services to prevent animal losses; expanded nutrition interventions for malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women; and mobile health outreach for pastoral settlements and displacement sites.

On 23 November, Somaliland appealed for assistance for one million people. The consecutive failure of rains this year has caused water reservoirs to dry up, increased the pressure on the few functioning boreholes, and led to rising food insecurity. Pasture and water shortages are forcing pastoral communities to move long distances or depend on costly trucked water. Agricultural production has collapsed, leaving households without food stocks or seeds for the next planting season, further eroding resilience and increasing vulnerability. Additionally, the State Ministry of Education has reported drought conditions have forced more than 45,000 students to drop out of class or to relocate with their families in search of pasture and water for their livestock.

Female-headed households and persons with disabilities are among the worst affected, facing restricted access to aid due to limited mobility, documentation barriers, and entrenched clan and patriarchal gatekeeping. Repeated displacement and loss of livelihoods have increased harmful coping strategies and exposure to gender-based violence, while essential services—such as reproductive health care, menstrual hygiene, safe water, disability-inclusive facilities, and gender-based violence support—remain scarce or inaccessible in many drought-affected areas.

The current drought conditions have exacerbated Somalia’s already dire humanitarian situation. At least 4.4 million people—more than one-fifth of the population—are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity from October to December 2025. An estimated 1.85 million children under 5 are expected to suffer acute malnutrition through July 2026, according to the latest IPC report released on 23 September. This includes 421,000 children who are projected to face Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and 1.43 million children who are projected to face Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM).

Humanitarian Response

On 10 November, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) declared a drought emergency across the country. Reports from various regions indicate severe water and food shortages. The FGS, through the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has, formed a technical committee to address the growing drought challenges nationwide. All relevant government institutions have been instructed to respond swiftly to rapidly growing needs and intensify relief efforts to address the impact of the widespread drought conditions.

Jubaland State, in collaboration with the Saudi King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and a national partner, distributed food assistance to 1,000 displaced families in Ceel Waaq district, Gedo region. The district is currently facing worsening drought conditions, including pasture degradation, depletion of water sources, and rising water prices. In Kismayo, an international partner is constructing two water dams in Qandal and Fuma areas to improve water availability and strengthen community resilience for approximately 1,600 households.

In Gaalkacyo and Galdogob districts, Mudug region, 2,700 drought-affected people have been registered for unconditional cash assistance in six villages for three months starting in December. An international partner will support 2,100 people in five villages (Hermo, Waniiqle, Jigada, Labo Gardayle, and Affardood) in Gaalkacyo, providing US$80 per family monthly. Another partner will provide 600 newly displaced people in Isqaamus village, Galdogob, with $100 per family monthly.

Puntland, authorities have established an inter-ministerial committee on drought response. Humanitarian partners are conducting monitoring missions to affected areas to assess the negative impact and coping strategies of communities.

Read more: SOMALIA: 2025 Drought Emergency Situation Report

Source: Releifweb