UN Appeals for Urgent Aid as Severe Drought Affects Hundreds of Thousands in Somalia

Dragon Media News Desk

The United Nations has appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance for hundreds of thousands of people in Somalia who are facing worsening hardship due to severe drought.

In its latest report released on Sunday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said coastal and remote communities, particularly in northern Somalia, have been among the hardest hit.

According to OCHA, severe drought conditions have directly affected around 250,000 people. The combined impact of drought, flooding, declining humanitarian assistance and prolonged conflict has steadily weakened the ability of millions of Somali households to cope with the crisis.

Local authorities have called for immediate support, warning that more than 570,000 people require water assistance, while around 1.5 million need food aid.

OCHA said the Somalia Humanitarian Fund has provided $4.7 million in support to Buurhakaba district in the Bay region, where the risk of famine remains high. The assistance includes a recent emergency reserve allocation of $2 million.

Child malnutrition is also rising sharply. According to OCHA, more than 400,730 children are suffering from acute malnutrition, including 97,150 severe cases and 303,580 moderate cases.

The report said access to reproductive health services and emergency obstetric care remains extremely limited, particularly among nomadic communities.

The drought has also seriously disrupted education. More than 820 schools have reportedly closed due to water and food shortages, displacement and weak infrastructure.

The United Nations warned that without timely and sufficient assistance, food insecurity, malnutrition, displacement and health-related problems could worsen further.