Livestock are the backbone of Somalia’s economy, accounting for about half of GDP and more than 80 percent of export revenue. Over 65 percent of Somalis depend on livestock for their livelihood, with millions working as pastoralists across vast rangelands. Yet the sector is now in crisis due to years of persistent drought, climate change, and economic disruptions. Four consecutive failed rainy seasons have devastated pastures and depleted water sources, killing an estimated three million animals since mid-2021 — nearly six percent of Somalia’s total livestock population. Climate change has shortened the cycle between droughts, making recovery increasingly difficult. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic and trade restrictions, including Saudi Arabia’s periodic bans on Somali livestock, have weakened export markets. Livestock are more than an economic asset; they provide milk, meat, and cultural value in Somali society, featuring in marriage payments and blood money settlements. However, rising water prices, collapsing animal values, and the high cost of restocking are pushing many pastoralists to abandon their way of life.