(ERGO) – Fighting between government forces and Al-Shabaab in southeastern Mudug, central Somalia, has caused havoc for civilian populations over the past two months, causing hundreds to flee to camps lacking basic services.

More than 230 families have joined Somaliweyn camp in Harhar since 5 January 2025, when conflict stepped up.

Ubax Salad Sabriye’s family of seven, who once relied on pastoralism, now have to beg to get a single meal a day. On days when no help arrives, they go to bed hungry.

“We suffer from food shortages. We have nothing to eat except what God provides night by night. Sometimes we go without. Neighbours occasionally give us ripe grains, which we sometimes eat raw,” Ubax said.

Ubax highlighted the struggle to access water in the unfamiliar camp setting. Her family has to make do with 20 litres daily if they are lucky, provided by well-wishers who pay $3 per barrel. She cannot afford this, leaving them without adequate water and sometimes with none at all.

Homelessness compounds their challenges. During the day, they seek shade from trees to escape the sun.

“When we were in our area, the children drank camel milk. We lived well, with plenty of food. Now I can’t even imagine that life again. All I want is to survive,” Ubax said.

Her husband was killed by Al-Shabaab in January, along with their 15 camels. The conflict also destroyed their restaurant that made about $20 daily.

“We had to walk 15 hours on foot to reach the camp. We had no car and no money to pay for transport,” Ubax told Radio Ergo.

The violence has affected hundreds of pastoralist and farming families in Bacaadweyne, Shabeelow, Cimaamad, and Jiicdhere Hareeri areas of Mudug.

Saadiyo Ahmed Mahmoud’s family of six, displaced to Bacaadweyne, arrived in Somaliweyn camp on 10 January. They are living in a poorly constructed shelter.

“Our makeshift house, built from wood and rags we found, can’t protect us from the cold or sun. When we arrived, tents were given out, but we didn’t receive any,” Saadiyo said.

They survive on 10 kilograms of food provided by neighbours in mid-February, eking it out to one meal daily. Water access is also limited due to unpaid debts.

“The water trucks demand $2.5 per litre. If you can’t pay upfront, they won’t supply it. We owe $50, so we’re cut off,” Saadiyo explained.

Her family’s livelihood was once based on their herd of 40 goats, now lost to the conflict. She emphasised their urgent need for assistance.

The conflict has crippled local economies, halting trade and production. Displacement has forced families to flee to areas where they overburden the host communities.

A local doctor, Ali Cigaal Qayliye, warned that the food shortages were leaving vulnerable children under five, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and the elderly at high risk of malnutrition and succumbing to diseases like cholera.

“If displaced people lack shelter, food, and water, malnutrition spreads rapidly. Children and women and the elderly suffer first, and everyone is susceptible to diseases from unsafe water,” he said.

Source: Ergo Radio