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The United Nations has announced a plan to raise $1.42 billion in 2025 to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Somalia. With 5.98 million people in urgent need, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has rolled out its 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) to provide targeted aid, focusing on life-saving measures and sustainable development initiatives.
Targeting the Most Vulnerable
OCHA’s plan prioritizes reaching 4.6 million individuals who are most affected by the ongoing crises. The assistance will address severe food insecurity, water shortages, and displacement caused by drought, conflict, and other climate shocks. The agency emphasized the need for robust intervention to prevent further deterioration of living conditions in one of the world’s most vulnerable nations.
Scaling Up Climate and Development Financing
The UN highlights the importance of addressing the structural causes of Somalia’s challenges, including the impacts of climate change. Drought and conflict remain the dominant threats, exacerbating competition for scarce resources and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. The response plan includes scaled-up climate and development financing to build resilience and mitigate future disasters.
Conflict and Climate: Dual Drivers of Displacement
According to the report, 53% of Somalia’s 455,000 newly displaced individuals in recent years were forced to flee due to conflict, while climate shocks accounted for the majority of displacement in 2022 and 2023. Somalia continues to face immense pressures from natural disasters like prolonged droughts and severe flooding, which devastate agricultural livelihoods and heighten food insecurity.
Improvement Amid Persistent Challenges
The humanitarian situation in Somalia saw slight improvements in 2024 compared to previous years, following the devastating drought from 2020 to 2023 and severe flooding in late 2023. However, the UN warns that the upcoming year could bring new challenges, with drier conditions predicted to increase resource competition and displacement.
A Call for Global Support
The UN’s appeal underscores the urgency of international cooperation and financial support to address Somalia’s pressing needs. The organization urges global donors to contribute to this comprehensive plan, which aims not only to save lives but also to foster long-term stability and development in Somalia.