Somalia’s Emergency Trend Tracking: Monitoring Displacement Amidst El Niño Concerns On August 1st to August 5th, 2026, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) initiated a new round of the Emergency Trend Tracking (ETT) in Somalia.
The ETT, which began in February 2025, utilizes an updated methodology to monitor displacement caused by conflict and the climatic impacts of the El Niño phenomenon. Data was collected across 13 districts, including Baidoa, Dayniile, Diinsoor, Doolow, Kahda, Baki, Borama, Burco, Hargeisa, Bossaso, Caluula, Qandala, and Qardho.
The ETT program aims to support the prioritization of humanitarian responses and facilitate rapid assistance to those affected by sudden displacement.
The report highlights the ongoing displacement crisis, which is expected to intensify as people seek services in urban areas. This movement is particularly worrying given Somalia’s underdevelopment and the potential exacerbation of the situation by the El Niño phenomenon, which is predicted to trigger significant displacement.
The FAO has warned about the high risk of flooding, with approximately 1. 2 million people and 1. 5 million hectares of productive land at risk.
The El Niño weather pattern is anticipated to bring severe flooding, disease outbreaks, heatwaves, and drought to communities in East Africa and Asia, with Somalia among the most vulnerable. Efforts to address the crisis include a comprehensive plan by the FAO to protect agricultural livelihoods and ensure food security.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is actively involved, with projects like those in the Bambusul IDP camp in Baidoa providing emergency assistance.
The situation remains critical, and the humanitarian community is calling for urgent aid to address the overlapping crises of drought and displacement.
The ETT report underscores the need for immediate action and the importance of a coordinated, multifaceted approach to tackle the root causes of displacement and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The coming months will be crucial in determining the impact of these efforts and the future of the affected populations in Somalia.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: International Organization for Migration
