Country: Somalia Source: Radio Ergo Please refer to the attached file. Brief Analysis This report covers calls received on Radio Ergo’s nationwide audience feedback platform within the date range 12-25 March 2026. Due to the Eid season and some technical challenges on the platform, we were unable to meet our usual weekly target of processing and analysing calls. However, in this report period callers remained preoccupied by the drought and its heavy toll on livelihoods across the country, mentioning livestock losses, and shortages of water and food. Many callers asked for aid or assistance, as they waited for rainfall. Towards the latter part of the period, a number of callers from different regions mentioned receiving rain, although some noted that this was scattered or inconsistent. Livestock diseases among drought-depleted herds were also a concern among callers. Around a third of all callers were female, speaking on topics including drought conditions, livestock disease, conflict, rainfall, and nutrition. The following summarises the calls by theme. Livestock – callers to the Radio Vet programme raised concerns over diseases among their goats, camels, and sheep. A caller in Sanag said his camels had swollen bodies, whilst his goats had bleeding noses and blood in their waste. Callers in central regions noted goats with diarrhoea, having miscarriages, and suffering from CCPP disease. A female caller in Mataban, Hiran, wanted treatment for their sick goats, which she said were also affected by water and fodder shortage. A female caller in Kismayo, Lower Juba, wanted veterinary advice and treatment for goats with cowpox, adding that they were concerned about the severe drought in the area. A caller in Beledhawo, Gedo, said their camels had a flu-like disease. caller in Somali Region of Ethiopia asked for advice on the treatment of sheep that had swollen necks and were dying. Conflict – female callers in Buhodle, Togdher, and Galmudug noted that conflict and insecurity were exacerbating their challenges with drought and the generally poor living conditions. A male caller in Abudwak also noted the combination of drought and conflict. Nutrition – a female caller in Adado, Galgadud, asked the radio experts to explain whether malnutrition could be the cause of her small daughter’s eye problems. Weather information – callers in Jowhar, M. Shabelle, and Buale, M. Juba, asked for more regular weather updates and analysis. This is a regular request from Radio Ergo listeners. Rainfall – three callers in Gedo region (Bardera and Fahfadhun) said they had received some good rainfall. Two in Jowhar said they had rain, although one said it was intermittent. A few in scattered parts of Galgadud and Bari region noted rain, although a caller in Qardo said the rain was light. One female caller in Sanag (location not specified) said rain was helping them to recover from the drought. Drought and Impact – several callers (on 20-21 March) in Togdher region expressed concerns over the continuing drought conditions and effects on livestock, with animals dying. A female caller in Buhodle said they were facing drought and conflicts in the area, they had no water or fodder for their livestock, food prices had skyrocketed, and they needed aid. A bigger number called from parts of Sanag region (between 12-21 March), including Yufle, Hadaftimo, and Dhahar, noting drought, dying livestock, and water and food shortages. In Puntland’s Bari region, a caller said they had lost all their livestock and faced uncertainty and needed aid. Others in Karkar, Isku-shuban, and Qardo said the drought was severe and they lacked water and food. The largest number of drought callers came from multiple locations across Galgadud. One female caller said their farms were affected by lack of water. Callers in Qalanqale, Las-hordhere, Hananbure, Dusamareb, and Do’oley said livestock were dying, herds had been decimated, and people needed help. Two female callers among others from Abudwak said they were losing livestock, grappling with the conditions, and praying for rain. In Hiran region, callers in Jawil and Mataban said livestock were dying and they needed aid. In M. Shabelle, callers from Jowhar, Mahaday, Balad, and Adale said they were badly affected by drought. One in Jowhar (15 March) said the river Shabelle water level was low; another said the river water was brackish and undrinkable. In Bay and Bakool regions, callers in Wajid said people were vulnerable after losing their livestock, and that rainfall had come to some areas but not others. A caller in Qansadhere appealed for aid saying they faced a dire situation. In Gedo region, callers in Bardera said they faced food and water shortage. A caller in Buale, M. Juba, wanted weather forecasts, saying they were suffering from drought and water shortage. A caller in Kismayo (13 March) said it was dry there but rain had fallen in Dhobley and Afmadow.
Somalia: Radio Ergo Weekly Feedback Report, Issued: 27 Mar 2026
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