Hargeisa, Somaliland – The Minister of Livestock and Rural Development, Dr. Omar Shucayb Mohamed, has sounded the alarm over the devastating toll that recurrent droughts—fueled by climate change—are taking on Somaliland’s livestock sector. His ministry’s latest assessment paints a sobering picture of shrinking herds, degraded pastures, and rural families struggling to stay afloat as the environment grows increasingly hostile.

Livestock remains the backbone of Somaliland’s economy, sustaining the majority of rural households and driving export earnings. Yet years of erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and water scarcity have combined to erode the resilience of pastoral communities. Many herders have already lost most of their animals, while others face a desperate cycle of migration in search of pasture and water.

Dr. Shucayb’s report underscores how these climatic shifts are not only ecological but deeply social. Entire villages have been forced to abandon traditional grazing routes, leading to competition over dwindling resources and heightened food insecurity. In some regions, the collapse of local markets has left families without income, further undermining efforts to rebuild.

The Ministry of Livestock and Rural Development is now calling for urgent and coordinated recovery measures. Priorities include restocking herds, rehabilitating water catchments, and expanding veterinary services to prevent disease outbreaks that often follow droughts. Longer-term plans center on building climate resilience through improved rangeland management, sustainable grazing practices, and community-led adaptation programs.

Experts warn that without swift intervention, the economic and social costs could deepen, widening inequality between urban and rural populations. As Somaliland braces for another uncertain rainy season, the fate of its livestock sector—and the millions who depend on it—hangs in a delicate balance.

For now, herders across the dry plains continue to cling to hope, waiting for clouds to gather and the land to green once more.