The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced a funding appeal of $1.42 billion for 2025 to expand humanitarian operations in Somalia. With 5.98 million people in need of assistance, Somalia faces a critical situation that demands immediate international support.
Launching the Somalia 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), OCHA emphasized the necessity of scaling up development and climate financing. The plan aims to address the structural drivers of need, build resilience, reduce the risk of future disasters, and adapt to climate change.
The HNRP focuses on providing assistance to those with the most severe levels of need, targeting 4.6 million people across the country. “The 2025 HNRP outlines key risks for 2025 as drought and conflict,” OCHA stated. “Drier conditions will increase competition over resources, strain coping mechanisms, and heighten risks for disease outbreaks.”
According to the UN agency, conflict and climate shocks have been the primary drivers of displacement in Somalia. In recent years, conflict accounted for 53 percent of a total of 455,000 newly displaced people, marking the first time in years that conflict-generated insecurity was the leading cause of internal displacement. Inter-clan fighting has escalated in the Mudug and Gedo regions of southern Somalia.
The increased frequency of cyclical droughts and floods has strained the coping capacities and resilience of millions of Somalis. Below-average Deyr rains (October-December), which are essential for crop production, raise alarms for potential drought and heightened humanitarian needs in 2025.
OCHA’s appeal underscores the urgent need for international solidarity to support Somalia in overcoming these challenges. The funding will be crucial in providing life-saving assistance and building long-term resilience among vulnerable communities.
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UN seeks $1.42b to expand humanitarian operations in Somalia in 2025
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