Puntland’s regional government has issued an urgent appeal for humanitarian assistance as severe water shortages, driven by prolonged drought and failed seasonal rains, threaten lives and livelihoods across the northeastern Somali state. The crisis is particularly acute in the regions of Nugal, Mudug, Bari, and Sanaag, where water sources such as shallow wells and boreholes have been depleted, leaving communities without access to safe drinking water.
In an April 8 letter to humanitarian partners, Ubah Abdirashid Mohamed, Puntland’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, highlighted the dire situation:
“Communities are travelling long distances in search of water for human and livestock consumption. This increases the risk of displacement, waterborne diseases, and intercommunal tensions over shrinking resources.”
The ministry emphasized that recurring droughts and erratic rainfall have compounded the crisis, severely impacting vulnerable populations, especially pastoralist families. Livestock deaths are on the rise, and malnutrition levels are surging, particularly among women and children.
Health officials warn that the nutritional status of children is rapidly deteriorating, with a growing number at risk of stunting and other long-term health consequences. Pregnant and nursing mothers face heightened vulnerability as clean water and food supplies dwindle.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has called on humanitarian agencies to immediately scale up emergency water trucking services, repair and rehabilitate strategic water points, distribute water purification supplies, and implement integrated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions in hotspot areas. The minister stressed:
“Time is of the essence to avert further humanitarian catastrophe.”
This appeal comes as Somalia grapples with the long-term impacts of climate change, recurring droughts, and armed conflict. Aid agencies warn that without urgent international support, the current crisis in Puntland could escalate into a wider humanitarian emergency.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has also highlighted the critical nature of the Gu 2025 season for Somalia’s food production and water security. Below-normal rainfall and above-average temperatures are expected, which will likely exacerbate water stress and reduce agricultural productivity. The FAO emphasizes the need for urgent actions to mitigate risks and build resilience among vulnerable communities.
The Puntland government urges international partners to respond swiftly to this appeal to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the region.