In November 2025, Somalia formally declared a drought emergency, emphasizing the critical nature of the situation and the immediate requirement for humanitarian support.

The ongoing drought has created a humanitarian crisis of extraordinary scale, with approximately 4.4 million anticipated to face food insecurity between October and December 2025. This includes 1.85 million children experiencing acute malnutrition, of whom 421,000 are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

In Somalia, the humanitarian situation deteriorates due to substantial funding reductions impeding health and nutrition programs. The subsequent closure of vital health centers has interrupted essential services, especially those benefiting women and children, heightening their vulnerability and restricting access to critical healthcare interventions.

The severe lack of safe water intensifies malnutrition and triggers disease epidemics. Presently, the drought has deprived more than 5.2 million people of clean water sources, resulting in ongoing outbreaks of cholera, diarrhea, and measles.