Somalia is enduring one of its harshest droughts in decades, devastating rural livelihoods through massive livestock losses, crop failures, and forced displacement. The crisis has triggered child marriages, rising malnutrition, and increased criminal activity as families struggle to survive. While national and international relief efforts are underway, experts warn these measures are short term fixes for what is likely to be a recurring climate challenge. Global warming is expected to raise average temperatures in the Horn of Africa by up to three degrees Celsius this century. Rainfall may increase during short rainy seasons but remain unreliable in the long rainy season critical for replenishing water and pasture. Extreme weather events — from droughts to floods — will become more frequent, placing additional strain on fragile ecosystems and rural economies. Key trends complicating Somalia’s environmental response include rapid urbanisation, declining traditional environmental knowledge, decentralised governance, tensions over shared river waters with Ethiopia, and mass displacement.Addressing these threats requires more than technical solutions. Somalia must adopt a unified environmental strategy, strengthen cooperation across regions and borders, and promote environmental education to protect livelihoods and ensure long term resilience against climate change.
Somalia is enduring one of its harshest droughts in decades, devastating rural livelihoods through massive livestock losses, crop failures, and forced displacement. The crisis has triggered child marriages, rising malnutrition, and increased criminal activity as families struggle to survive. While national and international relief efforts are underway, experts warn these measures are short term fixes for what is likely to be a recurring climate challenge. Global warming is expected to raise average temperatures in the Horn of Africa by up to three degrees Celsius this century. Rainfall may increase during short rainy seasons but remain unreliable in the long rainy season critical for replenishing water and pasture. Extreme weather events — from droughts to floods — will become more frequent, placing additional strain on fragile ecosystems and rural economies. Key trends complicating Somalia’s environmental response include rapid urbanisation, declining traditional environmental knowledge, decentralised governance, tensions over shared river waters with Ethiopia, and mass displacement.