Severe reductions in aid funding are impeding efforts to help millions facing drought in Somalia, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced on Monday. Local authorities indicate that more than 4.6 million people nationwide, approximately a quarter of the population, are affected. According to partners, at least 120,000 individuals were displaced between September and December as water prices climbed, food grew scarcer, livestock perished, and livelihoods disintegrated, OCHA stated in an update. Furthermore, over 75,000 students across the country have been compelled to abandon their education. Conditions projected to deteriorate The approaching dry season from January to March is anticipated to intensify drought circumstances, OCHA cautioned, noting potential consequences including heightened water shortages, additional livestock fatalities, and possible escalating food insecurity throughout various regions. Officials are requesting immediate aid to prevent potential devastation of pastoral and farming livelihoods and to stop unnecessary loss of life. They caution that the coming four months will be pivotal, as the subsequent rainy season is not anticipated until April 2026, the update reported. OCHA emphasized that the UN and its partners are active – ‘conducting assessments, mapping existing supply stocks, and coordinating emergency responses across water, food, nutrition, health and shelter sectors.’ Humanitarian workers are also delivering monetary aid, animal feed, and restoring boreholes, while visiting field locations to evaluate the extent of the crisis and examining resources for early intervention. Nevertheless, their initiatives are considerably limited by substantial funding deficiencies. Last month, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher distributed $10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) – which delivers prompt assistance when conflicts and climate-related disasters occur – ‘but considerably additional backing is urgently required,’ OCHA stated. As 2025 concludes, the $1.4 billion humanitarian response initiative for Somalia has obtained only approximately $370 million, about a quarter of the necessary financing, creating critical gaps in life-saving programs.