Somalia: our response
Conflict, climate disasters and disease outbreaks are leaving people with no choice but to flee. Our project in Somalia is supporting people with shelter and essential aid.
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What is happening in Somalia?
People in Somalia are taking desperate measures to survive. Looming famine and increased violence are common across the country. They are leaving their homes and livelihoods behind in search of food and water.
Millions of people have had to leave their homes. As a result, many people are living in poor conditions. Basic needs are not met. Women and children are especially vulnerable, and gender-based violence is common.
Read on to learn more about what it happening in Somalia and how we’re helping.
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Map showing the location of Somalia
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Is Somalia in crisis?
Yes. Somalia is bracing for the risk of yet another multi-season drought.
5.9 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
Mass displacement due to climate and conflict is frequent. While some have fled to neighbouring towns, many more have ended up at displacement sites. There is an extreme shortage of shelter.
Millions of people have been uprooted, sometimes more than once. They move on due to drought, conflict, or problems caused by rising food prices.
There are problems with displacement throughout the country. Yet the central and southern regions have been the most affected.
What are the biggest challenges for people in Somalia?
Drought
Lighter than usual rains in 2024 mean crop production was poor.
Limited water is available, which is linked to La Nina conditions.
The drought meant that millions of people are at risk of famine. Water sources have dried up, crops have failed, and livestock are dying.
Hundreds of thousands of people are leaving their homes and livelihoods behind.
They are on the move, covering vast distances, in search of food, water, and health services.
Flooding
Unusually heavy rainfall triggered devastating floods in 2024, causing livestock deaths and damaging homes.
In the heavy Gu rains and flash floods, over 163,000 people were affected. The Gu rains are seasonal rainfall that occurs in Somalia from late March to June.
In late 2023, heavy flooding forced over 706,000 people to leave their homes.
This spread waterborne diseases because as families couldn’t access clean water and proper sanitation.
Heavy rain continues to damage communities and cause sudden floods.
Conflict
Conflict continues to be a major reason why people are being forced to leave their homes.
The Federal Government is still fighting Al-Shabab in Southern Somalia. And more recently, IS-Somalia in Northern Somalia.
Resources have become scarcer. Displacement of people has also caused issues with land ownership and water supply.
Clan tensions have also worsened. This led to significant clashes and displacements in 2024.
Politics
Politically the context is changing. Somalia became the 8th country to join the East Africa Community bloc. This has a focus on trade, economy and peacekeeping. Somalia also became a member of the UN security council for 3 years.
The Federal Government state is progressing a one person one vote in 2025. This is to move away from the inequality of clan and state-based systems. However, this is not universally popular.
It is likely to increase tensions between states, clans and central government in 2025.
Food prices
Food prices are rising in many drought-affected areas leaving families unable to afford basic food items. The cost of food has dramatically increased.
This is due to flooding, climate change induced droughts and conflict. People are having to sell their homes and possessions to survive.
Displacement
Due to the above factors, mass displacement is frequent.
An estimated 3.8 million people in Somalia are displaced. They are living in over 3700 informal sites.
In 2024, 154,000 people were forcibly evicted. In 2025, we anticipate displacement will be on a similar scale.
The overwhelming majority of people who were displaced cannot return any time soon.
The demand for basic services and shelter, particularly in new settlements, is very high.
Fartuun and her young family fled their home. They have now received a new durable shelter.
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Is the crisis in Somalia related to climate change?
The climate crisis is increasing the severity of extreme drought in some regions around the world. This includes Somalia.
Increasing temperatures and extreme changes in rainfall patterns are worsening drought conditions. One of the most devastating effects of droughts is the strain put on food supplies. This can lead to social unrest, famine, and migration.
Conflict in Somalia has been a long-standing driver of displacement. Yet extreme weather, made worse by the climate crisis, is also forcing people to leave their homes.
Somalia often experiences droughts. This one is especially severe and widespread due to the impacts of climate change. People there are dealing with the longest drought they’ve had in recent history.
Learn more about the devastating impact of droughts here.
A drone photo from inside a internal displacement site that ShelterBox and Juba Foundation have supported, with durable shelters and household items, in the Baidoa region of Somalia.
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Dhaqan and her family in Somalia.
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Who is affected by the crisis in Somalia?
The people we have supported in Somalia have suffered the loss of their homes. But despite this, when speaking to them, many still have hope for a better future.
“My children see me as an immovable rock that they can depend on, and they look to me to guide them through this life path that is fraught with unpredictability. To be their safe haven even whilst everything around us seems to be in a state of chaos and difficulty.”
When I look into their eyes, I am filled with the courage and determination to keep going.
Dhaqan
Read more from Somalia
"My children see me as an immovable rock that they can depend on, and they look to me to guide them through this life path that is fraught with unpredictability. When I look into their eyes, I am filled with the courage and determination to keep going, to be their safe haven even whilst everything around us seems to be in a state of chaos and difficulty.” With your help, we can provide help to people like Dhaqan and her family.
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How can you help?
Donate now. Your gift will ensure we can continue to support families with shelter and essential items, in Somalia and around the world.
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