Somalia — humanitarian situation

Somalia's humanitarian crisis has worsened throughout 2025 and into 2026, driven by prolonged drought, ongoing conflict, and recurring climate shocks (OCHA). Recurrent drought conditions have severely disrupted agro-pastoral livelihoods, particularly affecting communities in Somaliland where climate shocks continue to undermine food security and income generation (ACTED). Recent feedback from communities indicates mixed rainfall patterns across the country during June 2026, with flash flooding reported in Sanag and El-afweyn causing displacement and loss of property and livestock, while many other areas experience inadequate precipitation or continued drought conditions (Radio Ergo). An emerging El Niño event forecast for mid-2026, potentially of moderate to strong intensity, threatens to further compound these climate-related pressures (IASC, IFRC, OCHA). The country's extreme dependence on imports renders it particularly vulnerable to external shocks, as Somalia imports approximately 90 percent of its cereals and 100 percent of petroleum products (WFP). The ongoing Middle East crisis and disruptions to shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz are placing additional pressure on food security conditions (WFP). These supply chain vulnerabilities intersect with domestic climate shocks to create acute food insecurity, particularly among agro-pastoral households already weakened by consecutive years of drought. Health services face sustained threats, with Somalia among countries experiencing continued high levels of violence against health care facilities and workers in 2025, including reports of facility damage, destruction, and attacks on health personnel (Insecurity Insight). The Health Cluster maintained operational response activities through May 2026, though specific coverage figures were not detailed in available reports (WHO, Health Cluster). The Somalia Humanitarian Fund served as an instrumental mechanism for enabling partners to address urgent humanitarian needs throughout 2025 within what is characterized as one of the most complex protracted crises (OCHA). The convergence of prolonged drought, conflict dynamics, climate variability, and external economic shocks continues to drive humanitarian requirements across multiple sectors, particularly affecting vulnerable agro-pastoral communities and displaced populations.