Beledweyne, Somalia — A dire humanitarian crisis is rapidly unfolding in Somalia’s Hiiraan region, where over 60,000 people have been displaced due to intensified conflict and insecurity. Families who fled their homes are now enduring harsh conditions with limited access to shelter, clean water, food, and healthcare.
The Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), in coordination with HirShabelle State authorities, has launched an urgent appeal for international assistance to prevent further deterioration of the situation. According to local officials, many of the displaced have taken refuge in makeshift camps around Beledweyne and other nearby areas, often without basic necessities or protection from the elements.
Tensions and armed clashes in parts of Hiiraan have surged in recent weeks, driven by escalating operations against the militant group Al-Shabaab, inter-clan disputes, and retaliatory violence. The situation has not only uprooted thousands but has also paralyzed local trade and disrupted essential services. Hiiraan is a strategically located region in central Somalia that has long been a frontline in the fight against Al-Shabaab insurgents. While government forces, supported by local militias and international partners, have made recent gains, the toll on civilians has been devastating. The region had already been struggling with recurring floods, droughts, and displacement from earlier conflicts.
Aid agencies warn that without immediate intervention, malnutrition rates will rise and preventable deaths may occur. Initial assessments suggest that more than 60,000 people have been displaced in just the past few weeks. Clean water access is critically low, increasing the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks. Food insecurity is worsening, with many households surviving on one meal a day or less.
SoDMA and HirShabelle State are working with humanitarian partners to mobilize life-saving assistance. Relief convoys and assessments are underway, but logistical challenges and funding shortfalls are hampering response efforts.
As Somalia continues to recover from decades of conflict and climate-induced disasters, the crisis in Hiiraan serves as a stark reminder of the country’s fragile humanitarian landscape—and the need for sustained global solidarity.