The Federal Government of Somalia declared a drought emergency on November 10, appealing for urgent international assistance as failed rains continue to devastate northern, central, and southern regions, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Among the worst affected is Puntland, where local authorities estimate that nearly one million people are in need, including 130,000 facing immediate, life-threatening conditions.

A UN assessment mission to the Bari and Nugaal regions earlier this month revealed widespread acute food insecurity in Somalia. Local officials and residents described the situation as the worst in years, with entire families displaced in search of water and pasture.

“We have not received rain since last year; this is the worst drought in years,” said Abdiqani Osman Omar, mayor of Shaxda village in the Bari region.

“Hundreds of displaced families moved here three months ago, and more are coming. The new arrivals are mostly women and children as the men have moved to nearby Ethiopia in search of pasture and water.”

The mayor warned that the village lacks the capacity to support the growing population, noting that even host communities are in urgent need of food and water.

Read more: Horn of Africa drought drives 20 million toward hunger

Water sources dry up and settlements are abandoned

In Puntland, the failed Gu’ season rains and persistent high temperatures have dried up water sources, withered vegetation, and left once-inhabited pastoral areas abandoned.

In Dhaxan town, brief spring showers had offered hope, but the local borehole was later found to be contaminated, forcing residents to depend on costly trucked water.

Community leader Jama Abshir Hersi said approximately 150 families had relocated to the town following the rains.

“We used to receive food and nutrition assistance, and medical supplies for our health unit. All that assistance has dwindled,” he said.

Funding shortfalls worsen Somalia’s humanitarian crisis

Despite mounting needs, Somalia’s humanitarian response continues to suffer from critical funding gaps. As of 23 November, the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan was only 23.7% funded.

This shortfall has drastically reduced emergency aid delivery. The number of people receiving food assistance fell from 1.1 million in August to just 350,000 in November.

In Puntland, 89 supplementary feeding sites and 198 health and stabilization centres are facing severe supply shortages.

Millions face hunger and malnutrition in Somalia

Somalia’s 2025 drought comes amid an already dire humanitarian landscape. At least 4.4 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity through December, while 1.85 million children under five are projected to suffer acute malnutrition through mid-2026.

Forecasts offer little hope. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned of continued dry and hot conditions across central and northern Somalia.

“The prevailing high temperatures and poor rain are likely to exacerbate water stress and limit pasture regeneration in most areas,” FAO said.

Read more: Global hunger crisis deepening amid aid cuts and conflict