Attachments
Brief Analysis
Among calls recorded on Radio Ergo’s independent nationwide audience feedback platform between 24-30 April 2025, more people than in the previous week shared that they had received welcome rainfall that was improving their livelihood conditions. However, at the same time, there was a considerable number of calls about continuing harsh drought and its impact on livelihoods, and soaring temperatures in some regions. Many livestock herders reported diseases among their herds and wanted advice and treatment, whilst some noted that the disease coincided with rainfall in their areas. Some farmers calling the radio’s agriculture programme said they had received rainfall but needed help to combat caterpillar infestations, or had no seeds to plant. The following summarises the calls by theme.
Aid – a caller in Baidoa complained that women were selling food aid and nutritional supplement sachets in the streets, meaning that malnourished children didn’t get the aid. He wanted his message to be shared with those distributing the aid.
Floods – a caller in Jowhar, M. Shabelle, was worried about the possibility of river floods during the rainy season and said action needed to be taken to prevent flooding. A caller in Bardera, Gedo, said their bridge and road were destroyed in last year's floods and they needed help in reconstructing them.
Conflict – two listeners called from Buq-dharkeyn, Sool region, asking for the Somaliland government to help them. One said they had been displaced from their homes due to insecurity and that they had lost access to schools and businesses as well. He said they couldn’t access the water wells and people were afraid due to the gunfire going on.
Livestock – several callers described diarrhoea affecting their goats as it was the start of the rainy season. They wanted advice from the radio vets. Others mentioned CCPP and foot and mouth disease. A female caller in Erigabo, Sanag, wanted advice about her sheep which were frothing at the mouth, although she already treated them for a suspected vitamin deficiency.
Agriculture – among calls for advice from the radio’s farming experts, a caller in Aborey, Galgadud, called the platform twice to say they had received a little rainfall but were losing their crops and vegetation to caterpillars. He asked for help with access to pesticides. In Lower Shabelle, a farmer in Wanleweyn said the rainy season had begun but they needed seeds to be able to plant their farms.
Rainfall – several listeners called from parts of Togdher region, including Burao and Qorilugud, saying they had received welcome rain and their livestock were in better condition. A few callers said they had several days of rain in Mudug region, where a caller in Jariban noted that their livestock were getting fodder and water and pastoralists had started moving to the area. He urged other people to also move to the area with their livestock to access the resources. Several people called from parts of Galgadud excited to get rainfall, including Abudwak, Adado, Balanbal, Dusamareb, Mirisyale, and Guriel. In Hiran region callers welcomed rain in locations including Jalalaqsi and Balano. Others in Middle and Lower Shabelle said temperatures had cooled with the rain. A caller in Baidoa, Bay region, said they had a little rainfall at first, but on 29th April the rain had been heavier and they felt blessed and grateful. He added thanks to Radio Ergo for the work the production team does, saying they enjoyed listening to the broadcasts.
Drought and water scarcity – two callers in the Hargeisa area said they needed urgent help as the drought and water shortage were critical and their livestock were sick. In Togdher region, a caller in Beer said they were concerned about the drought that had forced many people to migrate away. He said those who couldn't leave were now left behind in Beer and needed help from aid organisations. Callers in Hulul and Aro-weyn in Sanag region also said they were suffering. A caller in Galkayo, Mudug, said after a small amount of rainfall they had returned to drought. Despite the calls about rainfall from parts of Galgadud region, some in that region also cited ongoing drought. A caller in Abudwak, for example, said their children and livestock were suffering. A caller in Guriel said there was no rain and the weather was very hot. He said their livestock had been destroyed in the drought. A caller in Beletweyne said the temperature there had reached about 46 degrees.