Mogadishu – Somalia is once again facing the harsh realities of climate change, with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning that 2.5 million people across the country are currently affected by drought. The crisis is straining an already fragile health system, leaving millions vulnerable to disease, malnutrition, and lack of access to safe water.

Years of erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and recurring floods have devastated harvests and livestock, undermining the livelihoods of communities that depend heavily on pastoralism and subsistence farming. With climate shocks becoming more frequent and severe, families are being forced from their homes in search of water, food, and medical care.

Health facilities in drought-hit regions are reporting sharp increases in cases of acute watery diarrhea, cholera, and respiratory infections—diseases that thrive where clean water and proper sanitation are scarce. Malnutrition, particularly among children under five, has risen to emergency levels in some areas, fueling concerns of a wider humanitarian catastrophe.

The strain on Somalia’s health system is compounded by shortages of trained personnel, limited infrastructure, and ongoing insecurity that hampers aid delivery. Clinics and hospitals are overstretched, with some unable to cope with the surge in patients requiring urgent treatment.

International partners and humanitarian agencies have been scaling up emergency support, but funding shortfalls remain a critical barrier. Aid groups warn that without sustained investment in climate resilience, water management, and health services, Somalia will remain locked in a cycle of crisis.

Experts say Somalia’s worsening drought conditions illustrate the country’s extreme vulnerability to climate change—despite contributing little to global emissions. For many Somalis, the crisis is no longer about adaptation, but survival.