Attachments
Brief Analysis
The drought and the toll it is taking on people’s lives and livelihoods continued to dominate the calls to Radio Ergo’s nationwide audience feedback platform this week (5-11 March 2025). Many callers spoke of desperation, with their livestock sick or dying. Prominent among the locations of the callers on drought-related issues were the northern regions notably Sanag, Galmudug, Hiran, and a few in Bay and Bakool. The following summarises the calls by theme.
Health – a caller in in Qoryalle, Togdher region, reported an outbreak of a disease affecting people in the area that he described as having symptoms of fever.
Nutrition – a female caller in Godinlabe, Galgadud region, said they needed PlumpyNut and other nutritional supplements for their young children. Another female caller in Baidoa wanted information about recognising the signs of malnutrition. A breastfeeding mother, who didn’t state her location, said she was malnourished and her baby wasn’t getting milk because she lacked nutrients. She said they needed help.
Livestock – a caller in Burao, Togdher, said they were facing drought and diseases affecting their livestock. He said they needed water aid and medicines to treat their livestock. A caller in Dhagahya-Ade, Sool region, said they were facing drought and were in a desperate situation. He said their livestock were weak and losing their fur and they needed help with veterinary treatment. In Bari region, a female caller in in Gabegabe said they were facing drought conditions and their livestock were sick and they needed help in treating them.
Weather forecasts – callers in Hiran and Togdher wanted a return of weather updates that have stopped. The caller in Hiran said they used to listen to the regular forecasts and didn’t know what had happened recently. He said they needed the updates.
Drought & Water Shortage – in Somaliland, a caller in Sabawanag said the drought in the area was severe and they were appealing for aid. Another in Las-gal in Marodi-jeh said they were suffering water shortages. A caller in Habareysay said they faced both drought and conflict and were desperate for help. Among callers in Togdher region, one in Daadmareen said they were facing drought and high temperatures and were short of water. He said the livestock were weak and the people were sick. He hoped for rainfall. Among many callers from Sanag region, a female caller in Erigabo said they were facing drought and water shortage, their livestock were dying, and they needed help. Several others said their livestock were sick or dying. Some callers asked for help from the Somaliland government and aid organisations, saying they lacked water and livestock fodder. A caller in Balade said they needed safe drinking water. In Puntland, a caller in Rako-Raho, Bari region, said they were facing drought and water shortage and hadn’t had rainfall for the past two seasons. He said their livestock were thin and weak and they needed aid. In Mudug region, a female caller in Harardhere called Radio Ergo on two consecutive days saying their livestock were dying, they had no water, and were appealing for help. Another caller in Harhar said their livestock were dying due to fodder and water shortage. Galgadud region produced the largest number of callers about drought. Three female callers in Adado described harsh conditions. One said the drought was getting worse and the people and livestock were becoming vulnerable and they needed help. Another said their livestock didn’t have water or fodder and they needed aid organisations to help them. A caller in Galmegag said they needed help in saving their livestock from the drought. A caller in Guriel said the heat was extreme both indoors and outside. He said their livestock were weak and had diseases. A caller in Landher said they were facing severe drought as well as conflict in the area and needed the government’s intervention to end their suffering. A caller in Las-hordhere said they faced food and water shortages caused by drought. He appealed for aid and wanted his message to be shared. In Hiran region, a caller in El-Jalle said the river water had become sour and was undrinkable. He wanted his message shared with aid organisations to get help. A caller in Far-libah prayed for rainfall to end the suffering in the area. Another said their goats were lacking fodder and water. In Bakool region, a caller said their livestock were dying and they were praying for rainfall to come soon. A female caller in Baidoa said they were appealing for help to cope with the severe drought and water shortage.