Mogadishu, Somalia — The Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) has called for urgent humanitarian intervention as severe drought conditions continue to affect multiple regions across the country, leaving communities in critical need of water and food assistance.

In a statement, SoDMA warned that the most pressing challenge remains access to safe drinking water and sustenance for both people and livestock. Although the agency has initiated water trucking operations in several drought-affected areas, officials acknowledged that the response capacity remains limited. Long distances between water sources and remote settlements have significantly constrained the scale and speed of delivery.

Authorities in Galmudug State reported alarming conditions on the ground, stating that some residents have gone for prolonged periods without food. Local officials indicated that cases of visible physical deterioration linked to hunger and malnutrition are emerging, raising concerns about a potential escalation of the humanitarian situation if immediate support is not mobilized.

The impact of the drought varies across regions, with some districts experiencing more acute conditions than others. In certain areas, families have begun migrating in search of water and grazing land, as livestock — a primary source of livelihood for many rural households — continue to perish due to the lack of pasture and water.

Humanitarian agencies are being urged to scale up emergency assistance to prevent further displacement, protect livelihoods, and avert a deepening food security crisis as drought conditions persist.