Several areas in Southwest State and Jubbaland are experiencing a severe drought that has had a devastating impact on pastoralist and farming communities, forcing some families to migrate to other regions in search of water and survival.
Local sources told the media that conditions have significantly worsened in recent days after scarce water sources dried up, including wells that communities relied on. As a result, many residents have abandoned their homes and livelihoods.
Livestock losses are mounting in affected areas, with animals dying from a combination of severe thirst and lack of pasture. Cattle have been reported as the most affected, suffering high mortality rates compared to other livestock.
Large swathes of farmland dependent on the Jubba and Shabelle rivers have dried up, raising fears that the situation could deteriorate further if rainfall does not arrive or if river water levels fail to recover.
During December 2025, hundreds of families were displaced from their homes across southern and northern Somalia, fleeing harsh drought conditions and acute water shortages in a bid to save their lives.
Humanitarian agencies and local authorities have warned that urgent assistance is needed to prevent further displacement and loss of life if the drought persists.