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What happened, where and when?
Somalia continued to face a rapidly deteriorating food insecurity situation, with an estimated 4.6 million people experiencing acute hunger between April and June 2025. According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, 784,000 people were classified in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and nearly 3.8 million in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis), marking a significant increase from earlier projections. Acute malnutrition also rose sharply, with 1.8 million children under five requiring urgent treatment. These worsening indicators underscored the profound impact of prolonged drought, conflict, and economic instability, compounded by major reductions in humanitarian funding.
As of 5 August 2025, UNOCHA reported severe drought conditions across multiple regions, particularly Mudug, Nugaal, Bari, Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, and Sanaag. Approximately 2.5 million people were living in areas classified as moderately or severely affected across 26 districts, including 887,000 people in severely affected areas across 16 districts. Five districts—Zeylac, Lughaye, Bossaso, Galkacyo, and Hobyo—were recently reprioritized by the Humanitarian Country Team to align with ongoing programmes following substantial funding cuts.
In Somaliland, consecutive failed Gu and Deyr rainy seasons resulted in one of the worst droughts in recent years, leading to widespread depletion of water sources, crop failure, and livestock deaths among pastoral and agro-pastoral communities. The National Disaster Preparedness and Food Reserve Authority (NADFOR) estimated that 810,000 people were critically affected, with projections suggesting the number could rise to 1.2 million if conditions persisted. In response, the President declared a drought emergency on 22 July 2025, followed by the establishment of a 15-member National Drought Response Committee on 23 July 2025, chaired by the Vice President to coordinate relief efforts and mobilize resources alongside government ministries, local authorities, humanitarian partners, and international agencies.
In Puntland, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management (MoHADM) issued an urgent humanitarian appeal on 31 July 2025 in response to the escalating drought crisis. Failed Gu and Deyr rains led to severe depletion of pasture, food stocks, and water sources, placing millions at risk of hunger and thirst. More than 800,000 people across Puntland were reported to be experiencing acute shortages of water and food, with conditions worsening daily.