Drought Crisis Deepens in Central and Northern Somalia

Somalia Faces Escalating Drought in Central and Northern Regions

Somalia is facing an increasingly severe drought crisis in its central and northern regions, raising fears of a new wave of hunger and displacement. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) issued a flash update on August 5, warning that delayed and below-average seasonal rains are worsening the situation.

According to OCHA, critical water shortages are affecting millions of people in regions including Galmudug, Puntland, and Somaliland. Local communities report that wells are drying up, livestock are dying, and crop yields have plummeted. For pastoralist families who rely on herding for survival, the loss of animals is a devastating economic and food security blow.

The Somali government, along with aid agencies, is working to scale up water trucking, food distribution, and emergency health services. However, humanitarian access remains challenging due to insecurity in some affected areas.

Climate experts note that Somalia’s repeated cycles of drought are being driven by climate change, with rainfall patterns becoming increasingly unpredictable. The country has faced multiple droughts over the last decade, pushing millions to the brink of famine.

Local leaders are urging the international community to step in with funding and technical support before the crisis deepens. Without urgent intervention, aid agencies warn that food prices will spike, malnutrition rates will rise sharply, and vulnerable families will be forced to migrate in search of water and pasture.

As the dry conditions persist, humanitarian organizations stress that long-term solutions, such as improved water management and climate adaptation strategies, are crucial to breaking the cycle of crisis and preventing future emergencies.