Partners in Somaliland act in anticipation of drought

The National Disasters Preparedness and Food Reserve Authority (NADFOR) in Somaliland recently issued a drought appeal after seasonal forecasts and field data indicated worsening drought conditions. This triggered the thresholds in the Anticipatory Action Plan for Drought developed under the Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Anticipatory Humanitarian Action Facility (WAHAFA). 

Under this activation, 300,000 euros will now be released for the implementation of anticipatory actions that aim to reduce humanitarian impacts before the drought peaks. These actions, which are being led by CARE Deutschland, CARE Somalia (CARESOM) and the Shaqodoon Organization, include:  

• multipurpose cash assistance for 1,200 vulnerable households in the Sool and Sanaag regions 
• the assessment and rehabilitation of communal water points 
• coordination among all relevant actors, including NADFOR and disaster risk reduction committees 
• the dissemination of early warning messages to raise awareness of the drought’s impacts.

Another action being carried out is training for peace committees and community animal-health workers. Being provided in cooperation with the University in Hargeisa, these committees receive training in how to avoid tensions in light of resource scarcity (e.g., water, pasture). Committee members will then share the training and lessons with their own communities.

Impending drought in the region 

The drought is a result of the below-average Gu rains between April and June, which were forecast back in March 2025. The limited availability of water will significantly affect agriculture and water systems, in turn threatening food security and people’s livelihoods. For example, many people in the region are pastoralists and the lack of water severely affects the health of their animals.