Environmental
Severe drought conditions intensify in Somalia in early 2026
Somalia faces intensifying drought in early 2026, with worsening water shortages and mounting livestock losses across southern and central regions.
Recent data from FAO’s Somali Water and Land Information Management System (SWALIM) indicates that the 2025–26 drought in Somalia is deepening in severity and is on track to match the impact of previous major droughts in 2022, 2017, and 2011. Prolonged dry conditions during the harsh Jilaal period have led to acute water scarcity, substantial livestock mortality, and rapidly eroding household resilience, particularly in southern and central Somalia. Forecasts suggest that even improved rainfall during the upcoming Gu season may only provide limited stabilization rather than full recovery. Persistent above‑normal temperatures are expected to compound drought impacts, threatening food security and livelihoods on a broad scale.
- Status
- active
- Location
- Southern and central Somalia
- Date added
- 2026-03-26 05:27 UTC
- Last updated
- 2026-03-26 05:27 UTC
- Source
- FAO SWALIM
- Connected threats
- Not provided