More than 4.6 million people across the country, or around a quarter of the population, are affected, according to local authorities.
“Partners say at least 120,000 people were displaced between September and December, as water prices soar, food becomes scarce, livestock die and livelihoods collapse. » OCHA said in a update.
Additionally, more than 75,000 students nationwide were forced to drop out of school.
Conditions expected to deteriorate
The upcoming dry season, from January to March, is expected to worsen drought conditions, OCHA said, warning of impacts including increased water scarcity, more livestock deaths and the potential for greater food insecurity in many parts of the country.
“Authorities are appealing for urgent assistance to avert a possible collapse of pastoral and agricultural livelihoods and to avoid avoidable loss of life. They warn that the next four months will be critical, as the next rainy season is not expected until April 2026,” the update said.
OCHA stressed that the UN and its partners are mobilized – “supporting assessments, mapping available stocks of supplies and coordinating emergency responses in the water, food, nutrition, health and shelter sectors”.
Humanitarians are also providing cash assistance, animal fodder and rehabilitating boreholes, while visiting sites on the ground to assess the severity of the situation and review resources for rapid action.
However, their efforts are seriously limited by significant funding gaps.
Last month, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcherassigned 10 million dollars from Central Emergency Response Fund(DEER) – which provides rapid assistance in times of conflict and climate-related disasters – “but much more support is urgently needed,” OCHA said.
As 2025 draws to a close, the $1.4 billion humanitarian response plan for Somalia has only received about $370 million, about a quarter of the required funding, leaving critical gaps in rescue programs.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
