Somalia, 11 November 2025 — The Federal Government of Somalia and federal member states officially declared a national drought emergency at the conclusion of the Somalia Humanitarian Forum in Jowhar, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated action to address the country’s worsening crisis.
In a press statement, Hasan Esse, Director of the National Emergency Response Center, said that the 2025 rainy season marked the fourth consecutive season of rainfall failure in northern Somalia, leaving rangelands parched, water points dry, and pastoral livelihoods severely compromised.
“This drought threatens the lives and livelihoods of millions of Somalis,” said Esse. “We must act decisively and compassionately to save lives, protect dignity, and build the resilience of our communities.”
The drought is expected to affect 4.4 million people from October to December 2025, including 1.85 million children at risk of acute malnutrition, with more than 707,500 households displaced.
Additional challenges include limited access to safe water and reduced health and nutrition services due to global funding cuts.
The government called on all stakeholders—international partners, humanitarian organizations, and development agencies—to mobilize immediate resources for lifesaving interventions in nutrition, health, water, and food security.
Authorities also urged the implementation of long-term strategies to build resilience against future climate shocks.
Esse stressed that the compounded impact of the drought threatens to destabilize communities, deepen vulnerabilities, and displace more families if swift, coordinated action is not taken.
