Somalia Faces Severe Drought Impacting 5 Million, with Half a Million Displaced and Aid Coverage Below 25%

Severe drought continues to grip Somalia, affecting at least five million people and displacing half a million from their homes, authorities reported. Partners have documented livestock losses, widespread water and food shortages, and an increased need for assistance across the country.

The crisis has deepened humanitarian needs, with at least two million Somalis estimated to be facing acute levels of hunger at IPC 4 as of 6 April 2026.

8 million children under five face acute malnutrition, including 483,000 who are severely malnourished, largely due to the drought conditions. Food and nutrition outcomes have worsened in Bari, Nugaal, Mudug, Sool, Sanaag, Bay and Bakool regions. In Gedo region, over 200,000 people require water assistance.

Widespread crop failure has struck Somalia, with the World Food Programme estimating that upcoming cereal production will be 83 percent below the long-term average. Shabelle and Juba river levels have dropped sharply or dried up in some areas, severely limiting water availability.

At least 280 boreholes nationwide are non-functional, and the price of a 200-liter water barrel has doubled or tripled in many districts.

Displacement due to the drought has surged in multiple regions. In February 2026, about 12,100 households comprising 72,600 people were displaced in Gaalkacyo district of Mudug region, mainly from loss of livestock and limited access to basic services, according to UNHCR’s Protection and Solutions Monitoring Network.

In Bakool region, 217 households totaling over 1,300 people have been displaced to Hudur due to food shortages and clan conflicts, partners reported.

Agropastoral and riverine livelihoods in Hiraan region have suffered impacts, particularly in Belet Weyne district. In Lower Shabelle region, 570 newly displaced households amounting to 3,420 people were reported. In Afgooye, 676 households exceeding 4,500 people were displaced in March 2026, while 1,067 households over 6,400 people were displaced in Barawe during the same month.

Education has also been hit hard, with at least 829 schools affected by the drought. Of these, 358 schools are closed, and 471 are operating under severe constraints or at risk of closure, impacting about 189,000 children. The dry and hot Jilaal season from February to March has exacerbated the situation.

Rising fuel and commodity prices, linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict, have compounded the crisis. 50 per litre, marking a 108 percent increase. Somalia imports over 90 percent of its essential commodities, and supply chains have faced disruptions with delays affecting shipments, including humanitarian supplies such as nutrition commodities, non-food items, medicines and sanitation materials.

Aid efforts remain limited despite the growing needs. In the 21 priority districts outlined in the 2026 response plan, aid delivery coverage stands below 25 percent. 2 percent funding has been received for the 2026 response plan.

However, Gulf donors aided 22,000 households in Jubaland during February and March 2026. Forecasts offer some hope for relief. The FAO-Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) projected on 31 March 2026 that normal rains would occur over much of southern and central Somalia in the coming days, with light rains in northern areas.

These rains may recharge water points and regenerate pasture, though they are unlikely in the short term to fully reverse the long-term drought impacts. The drought has unfolded amid broader challenges, with partners noting that projected rains in the coming days will help but not immediately offset the devastation.

Livestock losses and displacement continue to drive families from rural areas into urban centers like Gaalkacyo and Hudur, where access to basic services remains strained.

In riverine zones along the Shabelle and Juba, dried-up sections have forced communities to travel farther for water, doubling transport costs in some cases. Humanitarian reports emphasize the scale of the emergency, with acute hunger projections holding steady at two million people as of early April 2026.

Malnutrition among children under five persists as a critical concern, with severe cases numbering 483,000.

The combination of crop failures and water scarcity has left agropastoral communities in Hiraan particularly vulnerable, where livelihoods depend on seasonal rains that have failed. In northern regions like Bari and Nugaal, worsened food outcomes reflect the broader pattern of drought persistence.

Light rains forecast for these areas may provide minimal relief, but borehole failures nationwide—totaling at least 280—underscore the infrastructure gaps.

School closures, affecting 189,000 children, highlight how the crisis extends beyond immediate survival needs to long-term development. Fuel price hikes, driven by the Middle East conflict, have rippled through Somalia's import-dependent economy, pushing up costs for basic goods and transport. 50 per litre has strained aid logistics, with delays in shipments of essential items.

Despite these obstacles, interventions like the aid to 22,000 households in Jubaland demonstrate targeted support from Gulf donors. 2 percent of required resources. This under-delivery in priority districts, below 25 percent coverage, leaves millions without adequate assistance.

Authorities note that the five million affected and half a million displaced represent a humanitarian toll that continues to mount as of 6 April 2026. Partners stress that while upcoming rains could regenerate pastures, the drought's long-term effects on livestock and crops will linger. Cereal production forecasts at 83 percent below average signal ongoing food shortages.

In districts where water barrel prices have tripled, families face daily choices between hydration and other necessities, amplifying the need for urgent intervention.