Somalia’s national disaster agency has issued a warning that the country’s drought could worsen significantly after anticipated seasonal rains failed to arrive, prompting families to flee rural areas in search of essential resources. The Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) reports that large areas are experiencing severe water shortages, with pastoralist communities being particularly affected as their livestock face depletion.

According to SoDMA’s head, Mahmoud Maalim Abdulle, the current situation bears similarities to the devastating 2017 drought, which resulted in over 40,000 fatalities. Abdulle identified Galmudug state as one of the regions most severely impacted, cautioning that entire communities are at risk without immediate assistance. SoDMA has been issuing alerts about the deteriorating humanitarian situation over the past few months, emphasizing the need for urgent aid.

The agency has appealed to international partners and Somali diaspora communities to increase emergency assistance as millions of people face worsening food and water shortages. Somalia’s rural areas are among the hardest hit, with many families relying on livestock as their primary source of income. The failure of seasonal rains has exacerbated the situation, leaving pastoralist communities without access to water and grazing land for their animals.

The Somali government, led by SoDMA, is working to respond to the crisis, but the agency’s efforts are hindered by limited resources. The international community has been urged to provide support to help mitigate the effects of the drought, which has the potential to escalate into a full-blown humanitarian crisis. With the situation continuing to deteriorate, it is essential that aid is mobilized quickly to prevent further suffering and loss of life. The Somali government and international partners must work together to address the crisis and provide essential support to those affected.