The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced a request for $1.42 billion to enhance humanitarian operations in Somalia for the year 2025. With nearly 6 million people in need of assistance, this funding is crucial to address the growing challenges in the region.
The Somalia 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) aims to scale up development and climate financing, targeting the root causes of the crisis. The plan focuses on building resilience, reducing the risk of future disasters, and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
OCHA's strategy will prioritize assistance for the most vulnerable populations, with plans to support 4.6 million people facing severe needs. Key risks identified for 2025 include ongoing drought and escalating conflict, which are expected to increase competition over limited resources and heighten the risk of disease outbreaks.
In recent years, conflict has been responsible for 53 percent of the 455,000 newly displaced individuals in Somalia. Additionally, climate shocks have been the predominant cause of displacement in 2023 and 2022. The rise in inter-clan fighting in the Mudug and Gedo regions of southern Somalia has further exacerbated the insecurity, making conflict a leading driver of internal displacement.
The increasing frequency of cyclical droughts and floods is straining the coping capacities of millions of Somalis. Below-average Deyr rains, essential for crop production, are raising alarms about the potential for severe drought and heightened humanitarian needs in 2025.
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UN seeks $1.42b to expand humanitarian operations in Somalia in 2025
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