Somalia: Monthly Humanitarian Update, August 2025

HIGHLIGHTS

• Severe drought conditions in northern and eastern regions have resulted in worsening food insecurity, lack of water and pasture, and increased migration of pastoralists.
• An OCHA-led interagency mission visited areas affected by drought conditions. An estimated 2.5 million people are affected in 26 districts, with 900,000 livings in the 16 worst impacted districts.
• Nearly 142,000 displaced people were evicted from their temporary shelters since the beginning of this year: 81 per cent in Banadir region, severely impacting community resilience.
• The Humanitarian Country Team has renewed its commitment to the Centrality of Protection. The revised one-year strategy focuses on three critical protection risks in Somalia.
• Somalia marked World Humanitarian Day on 19 August, emphasising the #ActForHumanity campaign, protection of aid workers and respect for humanitarian principles.

Severe drought conditions reported in northern and eastern regions

Drought conditions are deepening in northern and eastern regions following the poor performance of the April to June rains, according to reports from authorities and humanitarian partners. An assessment conducted by an international partner in mid-August estimated that most people living in Zeylac and Lughaye districts, Awdal region, have been affected with livelihoods devastated, pasture depleted and water availability severely limited. Water scarcity in Awdal has worsened because 25 boreholes serving an estimated 20,833 households across Lughaye and Zeylac, reportedly need urgent repairs. In Puntland, partners report that about 163,000 people need urgent water assistance, particularly in Qandala, Xaafun, and Bossaso districts through water trucking or borehole repairs, though partners warn that trucking is costly and unsustainable. In addition, livestock conditions are deteriorating due to lack of water and pasture, forcing pastoralists to migrate in search of feed.

Partners in Garowe report a decline in the prices of goats and sheep due to the severe drought, with prices dropping from US$100–$110 to $80–$90 since July. In Sanaag and Togdheer regions, water and pasture resources have been rapidly depleted. Partners in Laas Caanood report that Taleex, Godaalo, Xudun, and Buuhoodle districts are facing acute water shortages, collapsed livelihoods, and increasing displacement as communities struggle to cope with the impact of failed rains and limited humanitarian assistance. The situation is aggravated by critical shortages of health and nutrition services due to shortfalls in funding for humanitarian assistance this year. In Puntland, about 79 supplementary feeding programme sites have closed, while 182 health facilities and three stabilization centers are either facing staff and supply shortages or remain non-operational due to lack of funding.

Authorities and partners have initiated programmes to respond to increased needs, but ongoing efforts are below the level of needs, highlighting the urgency for scaled up and coordinated action. The Federal Government of Somalia has allocated $700,000 in emergency aid for Awdal region through the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA). Assistance has also come from the Government of Qatar which has donated US$3 million to assist affected communities. Additionally, the Governments of Djibouti and United Arab Emirates have donated food items for 15,000 and 9,000 households, respectively. In Sool region, authorities have distributed emergency food aid to 1,000 vulnerable families to alleviate the hardships caused by the drought conditions. Partners have also provided cash assistance to 450 households in Sanaag and Sool regions, as well to 1,040 families in Awda regionl.

Interagency mission highlights impact of drought conditions

On 3 to 4 August, OCHA led an assessment mission composed of UN agencies, the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group, and Area-Based Coordination co-chairs to assess the drought conditions in northern regions. The team met with the authorities and visited some of the severely affected villages, namely, Garaaca and Karuurre, in Lughaya district of Awdal region, as well as Libaaxo, Farxamur, and Baarweyn, in Eyl district of Nugaal region. While the team observed the dry conditions' impact on people, communities, services, infrastructure, and livestock in the sites visited. The projected impact in all affected regions, including on food security, will be fully established when the upcoming Integrated Phase Classification findings are released in September.

The assessment mission noted that drought conditions in the northern and eastern regions have affected an estimated 2.5 million people across 26 districts, classified by FAO’s Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) project as moderately or severely impacted. Of these, an estimated 887,000 people are living in severely affected areas in 16 districts. Food insecurity is expected to worsen, as many pastoralist families are losing their purchasing power. Alarming water shortages were being reported, particularly in the eastern pastoral zones and western agro-pastoral farming areas, where many water sources have dried up or are barely functioning. Pasture availability is limited in affected areas, resulting in weakened livestock conditions and reduced milk production.

The impact of the drought conditions is compounded by already disrupted essential services, including health and nutrition, due to seriously reduced humanitarian funding since the start of the year. Many maternal and child health facilities are either closed or operating with limited capacity, lacking medical supplies, salaries for staff, and outpatient therapeutic programs. There is a reported increase in rural-to-urban migration, as families move in search of water, food, and humanitarian assistance. The deteriorating situation continues to overwhelm available resources and response capacities.

Evictions continue to jeopardize IDP resilience especially in Banadir

Displaced communities in Somalia are continuing to face significant housing, land, and property issues, with forced evictions at the forefront. Between January and August 2025, over 141,909 internally displaced people (IDPs) were evicted from temporary shelters, with a staggering 20,896 evictions occurring in August alone. According to the Protection Cluster, Banadir region is particularly affected, accounting for 81 per cent of these evictions, with Kahda and Daynille districts reporting the highest numbers. Notably, the Sool region recorded its first eviction of 11 families in Laas Caanood this year. Additionally, Baidoa and Boondhere districts accounted for over 5,000 people affected by forced evictions.

While evictions in August were 3 per cent lower than in July, the outlook remains grim. Factors contributing to this trend include the arrival of new IDPs due to ongoing crises, unclear land ownership, disputes among landowners, and government development plans. A recent Eviction Risk Assessment revealed that over 295,462 IDPs are at high risk of eviction in Somalia, putting them in precarious positions. The assessment identified Kahda and its surrounding areas as particularly vulnerable, with 140,772 IDPs at risk, followed by Garasbaley with 47,556 at risk. Other districts facing significant threats include Kismayo, Bossaso, Garowe and Baidoa. The impact of evictions is profound, with losses estimated at over US$1.3 million due to the destruction of essential community resources. This includes 11 schools (both formal and Qur’anic) built by local organizations, 13 latrines funded by partners, and multiple community water points and shops. Such losses hinder the recovery and resilience of the affected communities.

On a more positive note, partners have successfully prevented the eviction of 3,876 individuals who received notices. This was achieved through effective negotiation, dispute resolution, and legal aid services, demonstrating the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing these challenges. To further tackle forced evictions, the Humanitarian Coordinator Mr. George Conway has engaged with key government officials. Recent meetings with the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) and discussions in Bossaso focused on actionable solutions, including calls for government intervention to protect IDPs from eviction. The parties agreed on the necessity of adhering to due process if evictions occur, ensuring adequate notice and exploring dignified relocation options. Upcoming high-level meetings with the National Commission of Refugees and IDPs and the Mayor of Mogadishu, aim to mobilize government support and promote binding legislation that addresses the root causes of these evictions. Through these advocacy efforts, there is hope for a more protective environment for vulnerable communities.

Diphtheria outbreak raises concerns over impact on children

An outbreak of diphtheria cases has been reported in parts of the country. According to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), 2,109 suspected diphtheria cases and 99 associated deaths (Case Fatality Ratio (CFR): 5 per cent) have been reported from 10 health facilities between January and August 2025. Most cases are among people over five years old, with 87 per cent lacking a vaccination history. The number of reported cases between January and August 2025 has increased fourfold compared to the same period in 2024. In the last week of August, 134 suspected cases and four deaths (CFR: 3 per cent) were reported across 29 districts.

In Hirshabelle State, the outbreak began in 2023 with cases from Mahaday district in Middle Shabelle region. Between January and August, 838 cases and 55 deaths (CFR: 6.5 per cent) were recorded, primarily affecting displaced communities in Daynile, Yaqshid and Kaaraan. In Puntland, the outbreak commenced in September 2023 and continued into 2025, totaling 881 cases and 31 deaths, with Gaalkacyo and Garowe being the most affected districts. In Galmudug, the outbreak started among displaced communities in Gaalkacyo, leading to 145 cases and seven deaths reported in 2025, with most cases from Gaalkacyo, Guriel, and Hobyo. In South West State, the outbreak which started in 2025, peaked at 20 cases in April, and has since reported a total of 202 cases and three deaths, primarily from Buurhakaba and Baidoa IDPs.

In the last two weeks of August, cases decreased from 168 in week 34 to 134 in week 35, representing a 20 per cent reduction. Similarly, reported deaths decreased from seven to four during the same period. To confirm the outbreak, three samples were collected from suspected cases, with two testing positive for the disease, according to FMoH. The FMoH has developed a plan to mobilise necessary resources. In addition, the WHO conducted online training for 150 frontline health workers on managing severe diphtheria cases using Diphtheria Anti-Toxin (DAT) and antibiotics. A total of 768 children have been treated with DAT. Community engagement and vaccination campaigns are ongoing, particularly in the eight affected districts of Puntland. The state health ministry, with support from FMoH, WHO, and UNICEF, is treating children over 5 and providing vaccines. According to WHO, diphtheria is caused by a bacterium that affects the upper respiratory tract and less often the skin. It also produces a toxin that damages the heart and the nerves. It is a vaccine preventable disease, but multiple doses and booster doses are needed to produce and sustain immunity. Those who are not immunized or under immunized are at risk of the disease.

Centrality of Protection Strategy revised for 2025-2026

The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in Somalia has strengthened its efforts to address critical protection risks, reaffirming its commitment to prioritizing Protection and to contributing to collective protection outcomes. The Revised 12-month HCT Centrality of Protection Strategy and Workplan, will be effective from September 2025. The strategy, aims to reduce the risk of exclusion and denial of access to assistance, reduce the risks associated with forced displacement and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects. The strategy is designed to remain adaptive to evolving humanitarian priorities. In light of funding cuts impacting essential services and ongoing discussions around humanitarian reforms, the revision was essential to ensure alignment with lifesaving interventions and broader humanitarian reset in Somalia.

This strategy builds on the HCT Centrality of Protection framework from 2022-2023 and incorporates findings and key recommendations from the 2024 Centrality of Protection Monitoring Report. It identifies and addresses gaps in risk reduction within the specialized Protection programs, many of which have emerged because of funding cuts. The strategy also recognizes the shifting humanitarian context, shaped by conflict, drought-related displacement and flooding, which have contributed to acute food insecurity. In response, it seeks to address the underlying drivers of the hazards and risks, including discriminatory practices, violence, exploitation and attacks on civilians and critical infrastructures. As part of system wide efforts to reduce critical protection risks, the non-Protection clusters plan to. integrate protection risks into their programming, support community-based structures, and reach vulnerable individuals. In parallel, the Protection Cluster will deliver specialized protection activities and provide technical support to strengthen the overall response.

The inter-agency HCT Centrality of Protection Implementation Support Group(ISG), will monitor the effectiveness of the strategy and adjust it in response to evolving contexts and emerging threats, providing quarterly updates to the HCT. Protection outcomes will be systematically measured against the strategy’s intended goals, using the frameworks outlined in the workplan. Progress will be shared across humanitarian operations, to facilitate learning, adaptation and continuous improvement.

World Humanitarian Day marked amidst unprecedented challenges

On 19 August, Somalia marked the 2025 World Humanitarian Day (WHD), bringing together various stakeholders, including humanitarian actors, donors and government representatives. The event highlighted this year’s global campaign, #ActForHumanity, and provided the opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on Somalia’s specific challenges.

Calls were made for the protection of humanitarian actors and support for principled humanitarian response. WHD events also took place in various field hubs across the country with support from OCHA. Participants highlighted the unprecedented impact of funding cuts on delivery of assistance and appealed for sustained and stepped-up donor assistance. As of mid-year, key clusters including Food Security, Water and Sanitation, and Nutrition received less than half of the funding received at the same time in 2024. Currently, the 2025 Somalia Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is just 20 per funded.