With the ongoing drought, Somalia is facing widespread internal displacement of people and food insecurity which is increasing poverty. This is putting millions of people at risk of famine and imminent death. Women and girls particularly continue to pay the highest toll in this crisis.

In 2021, thousands of people fled their homes due to climate change, conflict, and insecurity. In 2022, the displacement continues, and the drought has further worsened the humanitarian situation of both the displaced populations and host communities, particularly the pastoralists and villagers who jointly constitute over 85% of the population.

On 7 August, a UNFPA team under the leadership of the Country Representative, Mr Niyi Ojuolape, visited the camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Kabasa, Doolow, and Baidoa to directly interact with the community members and assess the adverse effects of the drought on their living conditions. UNFPA scaled up the provision of life-saving services to address Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) needs and respond to gender-based violence (GBV); and called for increased international support in these areas. 

UNFPA works and coordinates closely with other UN agencies, Government institutions, and ministries as well as national and local partners to provide humanitarian assistance for affected mothers, women, girls, and those in need across Somalia. During the first half of 2022, UNFPA and its partners reached nearly 172,000 people with SRH and GBV services. This included services that assisted 30,132 safe deliveries, and GBV prevention, response, and support service to over 30,080 survivors.