Somalia

14 May 2025

By 13 May 2025, flash floods from the Gu rains, which began in mid-April, had affected over 84,000 people across Somalia, with major impacts in Banadir, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and South West states. The floods have displaced over 8,000 people, destroyed shelters (heavily affecting IDP sites in Banadir and Gaalkacyo), and damaged key infrastructure, including roads, schools, and health facilities. Widespread WASH disruptions and rising health risks are reported, while access to clean water, shelter, and basic services remains critically limited. (OCHA 13/05/2025, The Eastleigh Voice 14/05/2025, ECHO 13/05/2025)

13 May 2025

On 9 May 2025, heavy rains in Mogadishu caused severe flooding, killing at least seven people and displacing nearly 2,700. The rains submerged homes, rendered roads impassable, and disrupted essential services across the Somali capital. The downpour, among the heaviest in years, overwhelmed drainage systems, highlighting the city’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Many affected families are currently sheltering in makeshift camps, with urgent needs for food, clean water, and medical assistance. (Barron’s 10/05/2025, AJ 11/05/2025, ECHO 13/05/2025)

29 April 2025

Moderate to heavy rainfall since early April 2025 has led to flash floods in Somalia, affecting nearly 30,000 people. The rains have hit Puntland and Southwest states the hardest, with over 27,000 people displaced in Bari and Nugaal regions. Shelters and latrines have been destroyed, disrupting access to clean water. Educational infrastructure has also been affected, with damage to 11 schools in Qardho district, Puntland state affecting 3,700 children. In Southwest state, stagnant water in displacement sites has heightened disease risks, particularly in Baidoa and Wanlaweyn districts. Access constraints from road damage and a nonfunctional airstrip in Dhobley district hinder aid delivery. Despite initial assessments, response efforts are limited. Immediate needs include emergency shelter, food, sanitation services, and relocation support. The combination of pre-existing drought conditions and flooding has left affected populations highly vulnerable, with minimal capacity to cope or recover without assistance. (FAO/SWALIM 28/04/2025, The Eastleigh Voice 14/04/2025, OCHA 22/04/2025)

25 February 2025

From April–June 2025, Somalia’s food security and malnutrition crisis is anticipated to worsen significantly, with 4.4 million people projected to experience high acute food insecurity – i.e. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse levels. This marks a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Key drivers include La Niña-induced drought, food prices surpassing the five-year average, limited carryover stocks, high shipping costs, conflict and internal tensions, protests, and insecurity in central, northwestern, and southern regions. During this period, acute malnutrition is expected to escalate, affecting at least 1.7 million children under five (6.25% more than the 1.6 million in the previous period) – further overwhelming an already strained humanitarian response. The US funding suspension, which previously accounted for 67% and 76% of the food security and nutrition response, respectively, has severely disrupted humanitarian operations since January 2025. Humanitarian organisations have not reported securing alternative funding, raising concerns about the capacity to meet escalating needs. (IPC 24/02/2025, ECHO 25/02/2025, AP News 11/02/2025)

10 February 2025

Somalia is facing increasingly dire drought conditions because of prolonged dry spells, intensifying humanitarian needs. The failure of the October–December 2024 Deyr rains has led to severe drought, particularly in southern and central regions. The worst-affected areas include Bakool, Bari, Bay, Galgaduud, Gedo, Hiran, Mudug, Sool, and Togdheer.
The current Jilaal season, marked by extreme heat and aridity, has further depleted water and pasture, deepening livelihood struggles. Forecasts suggest that the 2025 Gu season will bring below-average rainfall, a delayed onset, and rising temperatures, aggravating drought impacts and increasing humanitarian needs. Below-normal rainfall from April–June 2025 is expected to further strain agriculture, while high temperatures intensify water scarcity. From August 2024 to July 2025, around 1.6 million children under five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition. 4.4 million people were also projected to experience Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity between October–December 2024. (OCHA 10/02/2025, FAO 29/01/2025, IPC 23/09/2024)

03 December 2024

By 25 November 2024, riverine flooding had affected approximately 40,000 people across 30 villages, with over 13,100 individuals displaced from their homes in Belet Weyne district. The flooding has predominantly affected areas upstream of Belet Weyne town, where around 8,000 hectares of land, including 5,000 hectares of agricultural land, have been submerged. Critical needs include food assistance and livelihood support, healthcare, shelter, NFIs, and WASH interventions. (FAO 11/11/2024, OCHA 03/12/2024, FAO 16/11/2024)

12 November 2024

Between 1–2 November 2024, violent interclan clashes erupted in Buuhoodle district of Togdheer region, northern Somalia. The main driver was political tension between Somaliland and subnational administrations, along with clan disputes. The violence killed approximately 40 people and, by 5 November, had displaced at least 26,000 individuals, primarily pastoralists who had to leave their livestock behind. Residents from Galgal, Qorulugud, and surrounding villages are also fleeing to avoid the escalating risks. Local health centres report that many of the injured and deceased are children, raising concerns about the forced recruitment of minors. (UNHCR 05/11/2024)