Somalia: Puntland Issues Urgent Appeal Over Severe Drought Affecting Nearly 1 Million People

GAROWE, Somalia — The Puntland state on Saturday issued an urgent appeal for humanitarian assistance in response to a severe drought affecting nearly 1 million people across the region.

Acting President and Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor said the drought has had a devastating impact on the regions of Mudug, Nugaal, Sool, Cayn, Sanaag, Haylaan, Bari, Karkaar, and Ras Caseyr, where thousands of families are facing acute shortages of food and water.

According to an official statement from the Puntland Presidency, about 940,000 people are currently affected by the drought, with 130,000 in critical condition and in need of immediate humanitarian aid.

The report also noted that more than 310,000 children under the age of five are suffering from severe malnutrition, while 360,000 internally displaced people — most of them pastoralists — are struggling to survive in harsh conditions.

Authorities said the prolonged drought has been triggered by climate change and the failure of rainfall for four consecutive seasons, leaving much of Puntland’s land dry for nearly two years.

Forecasts from IMC, SWALIM, and IGAD/ICPAC indicate that the upcoming Gu and Deyr rainy seasons are also likely to bring below-average rainfall, further worsening the humanitarian situation for people and livestock.

The Vice President Lugatoor urged local organizations, international partners, and civil society to respond swiftly to the growing humanitarian needs, warning that immediate action is required to prevent a full-scale crisis.

“The people of Puntland are in dire need of urgent support to avert a humanitarian catastrophe,” he said.

The Puntland government also announced an emergency coordination meeting scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, at the Presidential Conference Hall in Garowe. The meeting will focus on mobilizing and coordinating drought response efforts across the region.

GAROWE ONLINE