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As of early May 2025, Jubaland continues to be severely affected by the cumulative impacts of prolonged drought, particularly in the southern and western regions of the state. Since late 2024, over 125K people have been impacted by critical water shortages, with Afmadow, Garbaharey, Luuq, and Kismayo among the hardest-hit districts. The drought has drastically limited access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services—especially for pastoralist communities who are now migrating toward riverine areas and regions that have received recent Gu rains in search of water and pasture. Their home areas have suffered significant depletion of both. In response, the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR) of Jubaland and WASH Cluster partners have issued urgent appeals for support to prevent waterborne disease outbreaks and ensure the survival of vulnerable communities.
On a more positive note, recent Gu seasonal rains have brought some relief, improving water availability in several districts across Gedo and Lower Juba. These rains have replenished water sources and initiated short-term recovery, particularly in areas north of Kismayo, as well as Afmadow and Badhadhe, where thousands had been displaced by drought. However, while the rainfall has alleviated some immediate pressures, the arrival of migrating livestock from neighboring areas poses a risk of rapidly exhausting newly regenerated pasture. Furthermore, remote and hard-to-reach villages such as Kolbiyow, Raskamboni, and Yurkud remain underserved, with some communities depending on distant water sources—like Bulo Haji, located over 60 kilometers away. The situation is particularly critical in the western and southern parts of Kismayo District, where the depletion of shallow wells has left many residents without reliable access to safe water.
Despite some recent progress, WASH humanitarian needs across Jubaland remain critical and are expected to persist through the end of 2025, with severe funding shortages continuing to limit the scale and effectiveness of response efforts. WASH cluster partners are working to expand life-saving interventions using limited resources, including emergency water trucking to remote areas, latrine construction for IDPs and vulnerable rural communities, and hygiene kit distribution. However, addressing immediate needs alone is not enough. Sustainable, long-term solutions are urgently required to build resilience against recurring climate shocks. Priorities include strengthening water infrastructure, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and empowering local communities through training and improved resource management. These efforts are essential to ensuring long-term water security and protecting public health amid ongoing climate and socio-economic challenges.