Mogadishu, Somalia — Amid a severe deterioration of the humanitarian situation, the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has issued an urgent humanitarian appeal to the international community and donors for immediate and coordinated support. Persistent drought, ongoing conflicts, and food insecurity threaten the lives of millions of Somalis, pushing them to the brink of desperation.

A Multifaceted Humanitarian Crisis

Data released by SoDMA confirms that the current situation demands a swift and comprehensive response:

• Food Insecurity: Over 4.4 million people are facing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or higher), a worrying 29% increase since the beginning of the year.
• Drought: Approximately 2.5 million people in northern Somalia are enduring severe drought, affecting 26 districts and devastating their livelihoods.
• Displacement: Recent conflicts in Hirshabelle and Jubaland states have displaced over 100,000 people, with tens of thousands forced to flee their homes under dire circumstances.
• Malnutrition: Nearly 1.7 million children under five are acutely malnourished, with 466,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition, putting their lives at grave risk.
• Water Scarcity: Less than 30% of the population has access to safe and reliable water sources, leading to an increased spread of diseases such as diarrhea, fever, and respiratory infections.

Local Response and Needed Urgent Support

Despite the scale of the crisis, the Somali government and the local community are demonstrating a strong commitment to addressing it. The Federal Government has pledged $700,000 to support drought response efforts, and the Somali business community has pledged an additional $700,000. This robust national commitment sends a clear message that Somalia is determined to face these challenges but cannot do it alone.

A Call to Action

SoDMA emphasizes the need to mobilize resources and increase funding from traditional donors, Gulf partners, and the private sector to provide an integrated response covering food, health, water, and shelter.

The situation is deteriorating rapidly, and every day without an adequate response increases the suffering of the innocent. We appeal to the international community to stand with Somalia during this critical moment to avert an impending humanitarian catastrophe.