Overall mortality in early 2024 was below the WHO emergency threshold and appeared lower than during recent years of peak drought. The estimated crude death rate (CDR) is 0.24 deaths per 10’000 people per day (95% CI:0.21-0.27) and an under-five death rate (U5DR) of 0.4 (95% CI:0.27-0.52). The majority (84.6%) of recorded deaths were due to non-traumatic causes.
The likely key drivers of mortality in Somalia during the first half of 2024 include conflict, localized flooding and previous drought disrupting healthcare, nutrition, and WASH services, compounded by displacement, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks such as cholera and measles. Limited funding for essential public health interventions, poor vaccination coverage, and inadequate access to clean water and sanitation further exacerbated existing vulnerabilities
Pockets of high concern were found in the northwest and south where mortality estimates exceeded the emergency threshold in Bari and were near-threshold in Nugaal and Mudug. Cholera and diphtheria outbreaks in early 2024 and recent displacement due to conflict likely exacerbated diseases spread and malnutrition in light of poor sanitation and hygiene facilities. While health outcomes seemed less severe in southern Somalia, this region remains at high risk.
