Somalia faces looming famine threat as drought devastates livelihoods

Drought pushes Somalia toward severe food crisis

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has issued a stark warning: Somalia is on the brink of a massive food security disaster. Nearly 6.5 million people are already grappling with severe food shortages, exacerbated by relentless drought conditions that have crippled essential livelihoods across the country.

Collapse of pastoralism fuels hunger crisis

Two consecutive seasons of scant rainfall have pushed Somalia back to the brink of famine, mirroring the devastating conditions seen in 2022. Pastoralism, the backbone of Somalia’s economy and income source for over 60% of its population, is collapsing. Livestock losses have stripped families of food and critical income, forcing thousands to flee to displacement camps in search of survival.

A 61-year-old herder in Dhusamareb lost 90% of his goats and two-thirds of his camels within a year. “I fear our people will suffer the same fate as my animals,” he shared. Meanwhile, in Nugal, a 19-year-old mother fled after her entire herd perished, desperate to protect her children from starvation.

Mass displacement strains humanitarian aid

Over half a million people were displaced in 2025 alone, driven by both conflict and drought, particularly in the Al-Miskat hills of Bari region in Puntland. As humanitarian funding dwindles, aid organizations are being forced to cut back on food distributions, water access, and healthcare—just as needs skyrocket.

Since November 2025, the ICRC has assisted more than 5,000 displaced families. Their efforts include rehabilitating boreholes in Bari and Sanaag, distributing equipment to restore wells, and treating severely malnourished children at the Kismayo stabilization center. The organization also supports 11 clinics run by the Somali Red Crescent Society.

Red alert: millions at risk of deeper crisis

The ICRC warns that without urgent rainfall and a substantial boost in humanitarian aid, millions could slip further into food insecurity. Somalia stands at a critical juncture—every passing day increases the likelihood of a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe.