Somalia Faces New Flood Threat Amid Hunger Crisis, NRC Warns

by: Horn Observer Contributor | 28 August 2026 20:54

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Somalia Faces New Flood Threat Amid Hunger Crisis, NRC Warns

Mogadishu, Somalia (Horn Observer) Somalia is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis as prolonged drought, conflict and major reductions in aid leave millions struggling to survive. Communities that have already lost homes, livestock and livelihoods

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SOS Children's Mother and Child Hospital, located in Heliwa District in Somalia's Banadir Region, is among the health facilities providing care to malnourished children, including children referred or brought from Balad and Jowhar districts in Middle Shabelle Region, Hirshabelle State. The hospital provides essential treatment and nutritional support to children arriving with acute malnutrition and related health complications. NRC

Mogadishu, Somalia (Horn Observer) Somalia is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis as prolonged drought, conflict and major reductions in aid leave millions struggling to survive. Communities that have already lost homes, livestock and livelihoods are now preparing for another potential disaster: severe flooding later this year, according to a press release by Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

Conflict-stricken Somalia has been devastated by drought and stark cuts in humanitarian aid this year and is now bracing itself for sweeping floods that could push millions more into starvation. , Visiting displacement camps in Kismayo, the Norwegian Refugee Council's (NRC) Secretary General Jan Egeland warned that the situation is at breaking point.

Around six million people, or one in three Somalis, are currently experiencing crisis levels of hunger or worse. More than 700,000 people have been displaced in 2026, including over 500,000 because of drought. Children are among the most vulnerable, with severe malnutrition reported across parts of southern Somalia.

Humanitarian assistance is also falling far short of what is needed. Somalia's aid response remains about 70 percent underfunded, leaving many displaced families without reliable access to food, clean water, healthcare and shelter.

The situation could deteriorate further when the Deyr rainy season begins in October. Forecasts indicate that El Niño-related weather conditions could bring widespread and potentially severe flooding. Somalia experienced devastating floods in 2023, which displaced about 1.2 million people, killed thousands of livestock and damaged large areas of farmland.

Norwegian Refugee Council is calling for urgent international support before the rains arrive. Priorities include food and nutrition assistance, clean water, shelter, cash support and stronger flood-preparedness measures such as early-warning systems and evacuation plans.

Without timely action, another major climate shock could deepen Somalia's hunger crisis and force even more vulnerable families from their homes.