Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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November 26, 2025 Humanitarian aid
Somalia is experiencing a rapidly worsening drought: for the fourth consecutive rainy season, rainfall has been extremely poor, reservoirs have run dry, vast swathes of the country are without water, and millions of people are at risk of starvation and displacement, UN humanitarian agencies warned on Wednesday.
On November 10, the Federal Government of Somalia officially declared a state of emergency and appealed to the international community for assistance. The situation continues to deteriorate in the northern, central, and southern regions of the country, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
One of the hardest-hit regions was Puntland in eastern Somalia, where local authorities estimate nearly a million people are in need of assistance, 130,000 of whom require emergency aid.
Acute shortage of resources
UN staff visiting the Bari and Nugaal regions in early November documented severe water and food shortages. Local residents fear the situation could escalate into a catastrophe in the coming months.
"There has been no rain since last year; this is the worst drought in many years," said Abdikani Osman Omar, head of the village council of Shahda in the Bari region.
"Hundreds of displaced families arrived here three months ago, and the flow continues. They are mostly women and children; the men have gone to neighboring Ethiopia in search of pasture and water," he added.
According to Omar, the village lacks the resources to support the displaced people, as even local residents lack water and food.
In many parts of Puntland, water bodies have dried up, vegetation has died, and many settlements have been abandoned.
In the city of Dahan, where brief rains in early spring gave residents reason to hope for the best, people are now forced to buy expensive imported water after the local well turned out to be contaminated.
Serious funding shortfall
Lack of funding worsens the crisis.
"We used to receive food aid, food for the children, and medicine for our medical center. Now this aid has practically ceased," said the head of the Jama community, Abshir Hersi. According to him, about 150 families have resettled in the city.
As of November 23, the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia was only 23.7 percent funded. This has forced organizations to drastically reduce aid. The number of people receiving food parcels has fallen from 1.1 million in August to just 350,000 this month.
In Puntland alone, 89 food points and 198 health centres are facing severe resource shortages.
Millions of people are starving
The drought is unfolding amid an already dire humanitarian situation. Some 4.4 million people are projected to face acute food insecurity by December, and 1.85 million children under five are estimated to suffer from acute malnutrition by mid-2026.
Weather forecasts don't promise any immediate relief. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that dry and hot conditions will persist in most parts of Somalia, particularly in the central and northern regions.
"High temperatures and lack of rain are likely to exacerbate water shortages and hinder pasture recovery in most areas," FAO said.
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