Attachments
2,850 INDIVIDUALS DISPLACED BY DROUGHT AND CONFLICT TO BUULO XAAJI
BACKGROUND
On 28 January 2025, 475 families comprising 2,850 individuals arrived in Buulo Xaaji after being displaced by the ongoing drought conditions, activities of Al Shabaab and lack of opportunities and services in the West Kismayo region of Jubaland. This prolonged drought has severely impacted the primary means of livelihoods in the area. Towns such as Istanbul, Cusbo and Dharkanley have been particularly affected, forcing many residents to flee to Buulo Xaaji. The majority of those displaced belong to pastoral communities that traditionally rely on goats, sheep and other livestock for their livelihoods. The drought has disproportionately affected the most vulnerable groups within these communities, including children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Many displaced persons are currently living in makeshift shelters on the outskirts of Buulo Xaaji town. In an interview with the Protection and Solution Monitoring Network (PSMN) team, a disabled mother of nine children without any means to support them, stated: "The drought has massively affected our way of life. Our livestock, which used to support us, has been lost, leaving us with no alternative income. Under the control of Al Shabab, there are no opportunities and services. I request support from the government and humanitarian organizations in Buulo Xaaji to support us." The Jubaland Commission for Refugees and IDPs (JUCRI) echoed the urgent need for assistance for the displaced population in Buulo Xaaji, which has put pressure on already limited resources. This support is crucial not only for basic supplies, such as food and clean water, but also for adequate shelter and medical support for those with chronic illnesses. The displaced demographic includes a significant proportion of female-led households, many of them widows, orphans, separated children, and disabled persons, all of whom are in desperate need of focused protection and assistance. A rapid needs assessment is urgently required to further assess the specific vulnerabilities of the displaced population.