UNHCR Somalia Protection and Solutions Monitoring Flash Alert 18 | 22 June 2026 Drought-induced displacement in Gaalkacyo District, Mudug Region

Country: Somalia Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. BACKGROUND Somalia continues to face a severe and prolonged drought crisis driven by consecutive failed rainy seasons, extreme temperatures, and environmental degradation. These conditions have worsened water scarcity, depleted grazing resources, increased livestock losses, and weakened household coping capacities drought-affected areas. across In Mudug Region, particularly Gaalkacyo District, below average and erratic rainfall has failed to restore resources or graze land, severely affecting pastoral and agropastoral communities. Livestock deaths, declining household income, and worsening food insecurity have forced increasing numbers from drought-affected villages including Bandiiradley, Dagaari, Sadax-Higlo, Gowlalo, Saaxwanaag, Docol, Bitaale, and Laanwaaley-to flee in search of water, pasture, basic services and humanitarian assistance. Newly arrivals are settling in informal sites, makeshift shelters, and host communities in and around Gaalkayo, placing additional pressure on already overstretched water, WASH, health, and protection services and heightening the risk of resource-based tension. Secondary and crossborder movements toward Wardher, Doollo, Buuhoodle, Sool, and Qorilugud have also been reported, underscoring the need for continued protection monitoring to track displacement trends, identifying risks, and inform timely humanitarian response. Between 18 June and 22 June 2026, the Protection and Solutions Monitoring Network has recorded approximately the displacement of approximately 3, 500 households, (around 21, 000 individuals) across Galkayo District due to severe drought and deteriorating living condition. Displacement remains ongoing and is expected to increase if drought conditions persist. Urgent support is needed in water access, food assistance, livelihoods, shelter, health, WASH, and protection to prevent further displacement, livelihood collapse, and worsening humanitarian conditions.

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