Attachments
Brief Analysis
The calls to Radio Ergo’s independent audience feedback platform this week (26 March to 4 April 2026) show a mixed picture across the country in terms of weather conditions and their impact on people’s lives and livelihoods. Callers noted rainfall in many regions, notably Sanag, Puntland, some central areas, and southern regions including Gedo. Some of these callers noted that they now enjoyed replenished water sources, although others indicated only sporadic and scattered rainfall. At the same time, the platform received a far larger number of callers saying they were still afflicted by severe drought conditions, with livestock losses and food shortages, and that rainfall had not arrived in their areas. Whilst an overall pattern would be hard to discern, these callers came largely from Mudug and Galgadud, as well as from Hiran, Middle Shabelle, and Bay and Bakool. However, there were many callers to the weekly farming programme, indicating that farmers were planting. Livestock diseases remained a concern to pastoralists calling the radio vet experts. Two callers living near rivers wanted help in averting floods. The topic of nutrition was popular week among women callers, and the mental health programme also resonated with audiences, judging from the feedback. The following summarises the calls by theme.
Agriculture – several callers noted problems with caterpillars destroying produce like maize and beans, as well as vegetation for animal fodder. Others cited crops pests including aphids. Women farmers in Gedo and Dusamareb wanted advice on growing bananas and keeping off pests. Another woman in Beletweyne wanted information on why her lemons remained very small despite the trees being watered. In Wanleweyne, a farmer complained that his kale and onions had been attacked by pests, and that the leaves on his recently planted bananas had turned partly yellow. A farmer in Beletweyne wanted the experts’ advice on how they could channel water to their crops without losing it in the cracks across their farmland.
Livestock – among callers to the radio veterinary experts, some herders linked their livestock challenges to the drought. A caller from Dollow, Gedo, said they were facing drought and that recently parasites had begun attacking their goats. Another in Sanag said similarly that they faced drought and livestock disease, including diarrhoea affecting their goats.
Floods – two callers asked for help in averting river floods close to people’s homes. The caller in Beletweyne asked for aid organisations to help them to avoid flood losses, especially given that they were already left vulnerable by the drought.
IDPs – a caller in Badbado camp in Adado, Galmudug, said people there were facing intense heat, and also unemployment. He said there were many IDP families in the camp suffering food and water shortages. He wanted their message to be shared with aid organisations.
Nutrition – a mother in Guriel wanted medical advice for her malnourished daughter, who had become thin and ailing despite being given nutritious food. A breastfeeding mother in Dollow, Gedo, said they didn’t have access to porridge or other supplements they needed. Two women asked questions to the experts about the link between malnutrition and eyesight.
Mental Health – callers to the weekly ‘Mind’ programme spoke of problems including memory loss, anxiety, and insomnia. One female caller in an unspecified location said she felt dizzy and was constantly talking to herself due to stress. She explained that she had one son whom she had raised alone and that they were facing food shortage.
Rain – three callers in Erigabo, Armale, Marawade in Sanag region said they had rainfall. One said the rainclouds were still visible and that people should pray and stop begging. A female caller said she hoped others in areas that were still dry would receive rain as well. A few callers across Puntland, including Qardo, Garowe, and Godobjiran, said they had rainfall and conditions were improving.
In Galgadud, callers in several areas including Adado, Guriel, Dusamareb and Hareri-dare said they had rain and were doing better. One in Ghideys, however, noted that the rain had cooled the temperature but had been little. One caller each in Beletweyne, Jowhar, and Kismayo said they had received some rain. In Gedo, several called from Bardera celebrating rain, although one added that their livestock were still thin and weak. Another caller in Garbaharey sad they had not yet started to feel the effects of the rainfall they were receiving.
Drought conditions – in Mudug region, callers in Galkayo and Harhar said they were facing severe drought and their livestock are dying, adding that they needed aid. A caller in Harardhere blamed aeroplanes for dispersing the rainclouds whenever they formed. There were many callers on the subject of drought from across Galgadud. Among several from Abudwak, a female caller said they had been beset by drought and conflicts and their livestock were dying. A caller in Ado-Kibir said the drought and water shortages were severe in the area and they needed aid agencies to help. A caller in El-dher was concerned about drought and diseases affecting the livestock. Several called from Guriel describing harsh conditions and uncertainty. One said their goats were dying and they needed intervention to save their remaining animals. A female caller in Qurdubale said the drought there was severe and people were appealing for help. She thanked Radio Ergo for the services.
A few in Hiran said they hadn’t yet had rain. Among many callers in Middle Shabelle, one in Adale said their livestock had all died. Some in Jowhar said they were grappling with drought whilst waiting for rain. A caller in Warsheikh said they were appealing for help due to drought and food shortage affecting people in the area.
A female calling from Yontoy, Lower Juba, said she was a pastoralist whose goats and cows were weak and dying. They were unable to move with their feeble animals to the areas that had received rainfall. She added an appeal for help.
Several callers in parts of Bay and Bakool expressed concern over drought and livestock losses, though one or two noted signs of pending rainfall. Two in El-Ade and Bardera, Gedo, also said they were facing challenges due to drought, lack of water, and failed rain.