By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
Somalia, 1 February 2026 Puntland State's Drought Response Committee has sounded alarm on the drought's devastating impact on people and livestock, urging local and international support for urgent relief.
In an urgent meeting convened on Saturday, the committee revealed that the drought has affected more than 1.2 million people across all regions of Puntland, following four consecutive seasons of below-average or failed rains.
Puntland’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Ubah Abdirashid Mohamed Hersi, said the administration, working with partner organizations, has already undertaken key interventions, including:
• Treatment of 316,000 head of livestock
• Rehabilitation of 103 water wells to ensure access to clean water
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• Delivery of food and water assistance to many affected areas
“We are all united to strengthen the response and address the needs of those affected by the drought,” the minister said, adding that further details will be made public once ongoing operations are concluded.
Meanwhile, Puntland’s Minister of Information, Mahamud Dirir, said a comprehensive plan has been prepared, involving committees responsible for finance, public awareness, and aid coordination. He said Puntland will soon announce the launch of an intensified relief operation, starting in the most severely affected areas.
The second phase of the response will focus on large-scale fundraising and the rapid delivery of emergency aid, using previously established relief accounts that will be reactivated and widely shared. The committee appealed to Somali communities in the diaspora and inside the country to contribute.
The committee stressed that the drought is not limited to a single area, but is a widespread humanitarian crisis requiring coordinated action by communities, authorities, and the diaspora to reduce its impact on people and livestock across Puntland.
