The Impact of Drought on Food Security in Somalia: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Ali Hussein Ahmed and Ibrahim Isse Ali

Drought is one of the primary contributors to food insecurity in developed and developing countries. Somalia, the most drought-prone country in East Africa, has faced chronic food insecurity and high levels of malnutrition since the 1970s. This comprehensive review examines how recurring droughts exacerbate food insecurity in the country by impacting its agricultural productivity sector. This analysis underscores the direct consequences of drought on food availability and access. The study employs secondary data from different data sets including FAO, World Bank, and SWALIM. In Somalia, droughts have severe implications for food security, particularly their impact on agricultural productivity and livestock health. The prolonged drought in Somalia in 2022 brought the country dangerously close to widespread famine. The latest data demonstrate that the food crisis in Somalia has escalated, with 3.7 million people, representing 22% of the population, facing high levels of acute food insecurity. In September 2022 alone, 68,393 people were displaced due to drought, representing a 31% decrease compared to August 2022. The regions that have seen the newest arrivals of displaced people are Bay (26%), Lower Juba (22%), Gedo (14%), Banadir (11%), and Bakool (11%). Nearly 2 million children are at risk of acute malnutrition. Additionally, 3.5 million livestock deaths have devastated livelihoods and reduced access to vital food sources. Displacement due to drought has further compounded the crisis, with tens of thousands forced to flee their homes. This paper highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions, emphasizing improved water management, climate-resilient agricultural practices, and robust early warning systems to mitigate these impacts and build resilience against future droughts.

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