Issued: February 24, 2026
- Worsening drought, conflict and insecurity, and soaring food prices have driven a sharp deterioration in acute food insecurity in Somalia since the last analysis in August 2025. After some temporary improvement with better rains in 2023 and 2025, below average rainfall between October and December 2025 led to failed crop harvest in agropastoral and riverine regions, and rapid depletion of pasture and water in pastoral areas. Drought, insecurity and conflict in central, southern, and some parts of northern Somalia have displaced populations and disrupted livelihood activities and market access. The situation is further compounded by reduced humanitarian
assistance, with humanitarian food security assistance (HFSA) in January 2026 reaching only 17 percent of the 4.8 million people in need. - Results of the multi-partner countrywide food security assessments conducted in November and December 2025, and subsequent IPC Acute Food Insecurity analysis indicated a worsening food insecurity situation in Somalia. Approximately 4.8 million people experienced high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) in January 2026. This included about 1.2 million people (6 percent of the population) in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), and more than 3.6 million people (19 percent of the population) in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). An additional 7.4 million people were classified in IPC Phase 2 (Stressed).
- Nearly all rural people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, driven by a worsening drought, ongoing insecurity, and rising food prices. Most of the pastoral and agropastoral people in northern, central, and southern regions are classified in Phase 3. These livelihoods face significant food consumption gaps, rising acute malnutrition, and are relying on crisis or emergency coping strategies just to meet basic food needs. A few areas remain in Phase 2, including West Golis Pastoral and Northwest Agropastoral, the Cowpea Belt, Southern Rainfed Maize Agropastoral in Middle and Lower Shabelle regions, and Southern Inland Pastoral livelihood zones in Hiran, Bakool, Shabelle, Gedo, and Juba regions. In these areas, households can meet minimum food needs but are resorting to unsustainable coping strategies to cover other essential needs. The food security situation of most IDPs across Somalia remains extremely precarious. Nearly all IDP settlements are classified in Phase 3, while those in Bay and Bakool regions face even more severe conditions and are classified in Phase 4 .
- These populations face substantial food consumption gaps and remain highly dependent on humanitarian assistance. Urban populations show slightly better outcomes due to better access to informal labour opportunities and market access but still face notable stress, with many areas classified in Phase 2, indicating limited access to essential non-food needs and increased pressure on their coping capacity. The October–December 2025 Deyr season rains failed across most of Somalia, with amounts substantially lower compared to normal seasonal patterns. Overall, rainfall was poor to below average, with many southern and central areas receiving less than 75 mm—well below seasonal norms.
- The largest deficits in rainfall were recorded in the northern and central regions, where rainfall totals reached historically low levels. Rainfall started in September across all livelihood zones, including in parts of Guban and Golis pastoral livelihoods.
- Rainfall improved slightly in some southern and central areas in October, particularly in central regions, while northern areas experienced a sharp reduction in rainfall. Most of the country remained dry during November, except for localised rainfall in the Juba regions and parts of Bay, Gedo, and Lower Shabelle. Conditions were predominantly dry in December, with only isolated light to moderate rains in Gedo and Lower Juba.
Click this link to download full report in pdf format.
Send by email
