Attachments
OVERVIEW
Amid decreasing global humanitarian funding, the humanitarian situation in Somalia continued to deteriorate in May. The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Somalia projected 5.98 million people requiring humanitarian assistance, with 4.57 million targeted for help. Approximately 4.6 million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, and 1.8 million children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition. Overall, over 47 per cent of the country’s population is affected by conflict, floods, drought, disease outbreaks, and displacement that disrupt lives and livelihoods, resulting in dire humanitarian needs.
In May 2025, Somalia continued to experience mixed intensity security and political developments that have implications for both domestic stability and regional security dynamics. The overall security situation across Somalia remained tense, marked by ongoing military operations, clan conflicts, and localized civil unrest. In southern and central Somalia, particularly in the Hiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, armed conflict between the Somali National Army (SNA) and Al-Shabaab (AS) appeared to slow down, with no major territorial changes reported. In Galmudug, the Somali SNA and local forces engaged AS near Dhusamareb. Puntland forces clashed with the Islamic State in Somalia (ISS) in Qandala, supported by a U.S. airstrike. Tensions remained high between the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn-Khatumo administrations and Somaliland authorities.
On the political front, the ongoing tension between the Federal Government and some Federal Member States continued to flare up. While visiting Nairobi, Somaliland President Abdirahman Abdullahi ‘Irro’ inaugurated the newly upgraded “Somaliland diplomatic mission”, which used to be a liaison office. Following the visit, Kenya issued a statement reaffirming its respect for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which appeared influenced by pressure from both the Federal Government of Somalia and China.
KEY UPDATES
• Joint field visit to IDP sites: In response to the devastating impact of the recent heavy flooding in Mogadishu (Deynile and Kahda districts), UNHCR, in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees and IDPs (NCRI) and AVORD (shelter partner), conducted a needs assessment mission in IDP camps on 18 May, to assess the damage and identify urgent humanitarian needs. Similar assessments were done in Dhobley through an inter-agency team to assess the condition of the IDPs, identify gaps and challenges, and to share information with partners to guide responses. Following the field visit, UNHCR provided 2,000 NFI kits to the most vulnerable households in Kahda and Deynile.
• Partnerships with Private Sector: In May, UNHCR in Mogadishu partnered with the Hormuud Salaam Foundation and distributed $64,000 among 177 households of 320 individuals who returned to the country through Assisted Spontaneous Returns (ASR), with each individual receiving a $200 reinstallation grant. The grant allows the returnees to immediately meet their basic needs in a flexible and dignified way and to facilitate their further reintegration.