Liban Aw-Khalif, Director of Water Management at the ministry, told Kaab TV that some residents in the hardest-hit areas have begun to flee their homes due to the crisis.

“Burhakaba is among the worst-affected areas, where a single barrel of water [200 litres] now costs over $7—an amount beyond the reach of many families,” he said.

Somalia is still grappling with the aftermath of the devastating 2020–2023 drought and the severe floods of late 2023 and mid-2024.

However, experts warn that the country may be heading toward yet another prolonged dry spell.

A January report by UN humanitarian agencies underscored how repeated climate shocks—coupled with decades of conflict, poverty, and governance challenges—have weakened coping mechanisms, heightened dependence on aid, and undermined resilience.

Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall driven by climate change are expected to exacerbate water scarcity, reduce agricultural productivity, and increase the frequency of extreme weather events by 2030.

According to Aw-Khalif, out of 70 water wells monitored by the ministry across South West State, many are drying up.

“In some areas, there are no wells at all. Among the 70 wells currently under our system, reports indicate that water levels are dropping, and people are losing hope,” he said.

In border towns such as Aato and Yeed, residents are crossing into Ethiopia in search of water, where high prices for water transported by trucks add to their burden.

Authorities warn that if the drought persists without urgent intervention, the crisis could escalate into a full-scale humanitarian emergency. Displacement is already rising as families struggle to secure water, while livestock losses and agricultural failures mount.

Compounding the crisis, insecurity remains a significant challenge in many parts of South West State, where Al-Shabaab militants continue to pose a threat, and ongoing clan conflicts further add to the suffering of local communities.

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