Mogadishu, Somalia — A severe drought in Somalia’s Mudug Region, particularly in Gaalkacyo District, has led to the displacement of approximately 3,500 households, affecting around 21,000 individuals, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The ongoing drought, characterized by consecutive failed rainy seasons and extreme temperatures, has worsened water scarcity, depleted grazing resources, and increased livestock losses, further straining household coping capacities.
In Gaalkacyo District, the lack of below average and erratic rainfall has failed to restore resources or grazing land, severely impacting pastoral and agropastoral communities. This has forced many individuals from villages such as Bandiiradley, Dagaari, Sadax-Higlo, Gowlalo, Saaxwanaag, Docol, Bitaale, and Laanwaaley to flee in search of water, pasture, basic services, and humanitarian assistance.
The displaced are settling in informal sites and makeshift shelters, placing additional pressure on already overstretched water, WASH, health, and protection services in and around Gaalkayo.
The UNHCR has reported that between 18 June and 22 June 2026, the Protection and Solutions Monitoring Network recorded the displacement of around 3,500 households.
The situation is expected to worsen if drought conditions persist, necessitating urgent support in water access, food assistance, livelihoods, shelter, health, WASH, and protection to prevent further displacement, livelihood collapse, and worsening humanitarian conditions.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 4*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
