Mogadishu, Somalia – The ongoing drought crisis in Somalia has intensified, affecting approximately 4.6 million citizens, which represents nearly a quarter of the nation’s population, according to authorities and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Between September and December, at least 120,000 individuals were forced to leave their homes due to escalating water costs, dwindling food supplies, and widespread livestock deaths. Conditions are anticipated to deteriorate during the January-March dry period, with additional water scarcity, continued livestock fatalities, and increasing food insecurity anticipated. The next rainy season is projected to arrive no earlier than April 2026.

This drought situation results from the consecutive failure of both the April-June and October-December rainy periods. Approximately 170 boreholes and shallow wells have ceased functioning across the country, while more than 75,000 students have abandoned their education as families face overwhelming challenges.

Humanitarian organizations are delivering cash aid, animal feed, and repairing water infrastructure, backed by a $10 million allocation from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund intended to assist over 603,000 individuals. Nevertheless, OCHA has cautioned that available funding continues to fall critically short of requirements.

Of Somalia’s $1.4 billion humanitarian response plan, only approximately $370 million has been secured to date, creating substantial deficiencies in essential aid delivery. Government officials and humanitarian partners have emphasized that the upcoming months are crucial to prevent additional population displacement and fatalities.