Thursday April 10, 2025
Garowe (HOL) — Puntland’s regional government has issued an urgent appeal for humanitarian assistance as a worsening water crisis threatens lives and livelihoods across the northeastern Somali state. Severe water shortages, triggered by prolonged drought and failed seasonal rains, are forcing mass displacement, killing livestock, and endangering public health, particularly among women and children.
In an April 8 letter to humanitarian partners, Ubah Abdirashid Mohamed, Puntland’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, warned of deteriorating conditions across the regions of Nugal, Mudug, Bari, and Sanaag. Field assessments conducted with local authorities revealed that water sources such as shallow wells and boreholes have been depleted, leaving communities without access to safe drinking water.
“Communities are travelling long distances in search of water for human and livestock consumption,” the minister stated. “This increases the risk of displacement, waterborne diseases, and intercommunal tensions over shrinking resources.”
The ministry highlighted that recurring droughts and erratic rainfall have compounded the crisis. Vulnerable populations, particularly pastoralist families, are suffering the most, with livestock deaths rising and malnutrition levels surging—especially 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.
MoHADM calls 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.
“Time is of the essence to avert further humanitarian catastrophe,” the minister said.
The appeal comes as Somalia struggles 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.