Somalia Fears Hunger as El Niño Strengthens

Somalia is facing growing fears of hunger and displacement as a strengthening El Niño weather system raises concerns about severe flooding, crop losses and reduced food supplies ahead of its expected peak in December.

Farmers Face Difficult Choices

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned that farmers must choose between planting crops and risking their destruction by floodwaters or leaving their fields uncultivated and facing greater hunger in the coming year.

Nuh Adan, a farmer and community leader in Bayahaaw, said flooding could damage local agriculture for months if riverbanks burst.

Displaced Families Fear More Flooding

Somalia remains highly vulnerable to extreme weather during El Niño cycles. A similar event in 2023 affected nearly two million people and displaced around 500,000.

Kamillo Muse, a resident of Ceeynu Nasri displacement camp in Jowha, said residents feared that heavy rains could force even families living in permanent homes to flee.

Aid Agencies Prepare Despite Funding Cuts

Humanitarian organisations are taking preventive measures based on lessons from the 2023 disaster. Antoine Grand, head of the ICRC in Somalia, said agencies had improved their understanding of likely flood zones and safer areas.

However, he warned that sharp reductions in humanitarian funding since 2025 had weakened the capacity to prepare for and respond to potential flooding.

Emergency Supplies Distributed

Working with the Somali Red Crescent Society, the ICRC is distributing sandbags, positioning essential supplies in flood-prone areas and stocking supported health facilities with medical and nutrition supplies.

The measures aim to reduce flood damage and help health services continue operating as communities prepare for the coming rains.