The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management (MoHADM) of Puntland has issued an urgent humanitarian appeal as a severe water crisis grips large parts of the region. Triggered by prolonged drought, erratic rainfall, and deteriorating water sources, the crisis has resulted in widespread displacement, rising livestock deaths, and increased cases of malnutrition—especially among women and children.
According to the Ministry, communities in Nugaal, Mudug, Bari, and Sanaag are among the hardest hit, with many pastoralist families being forced to travel long distances in search of clean water for both human and livestock use. Shallow wells, water catchments, and boreholes have dried up or been severely depleted, creating a dangerous environment where waterborne diseases and community tensions are rising.
“Many families have been left with no choice but to migrate in search of water. The combination of recurring droughts and failed seasonal rains has worsened the humanitarian outlook significantly,” said the Ministry in the appeal.
Rapid assessments conducted in collaboration with local leaders show alarming levels of need across affected regions. Livestock, a backbone of rural livelihoods, are dying in large numbers, and the nutritional health of vulnerable groups is rapidly deteriorating.
Immediate Humanitarian Support Needed
MoHADM is calling on all humanitarian actors and international partners to scale up support urgently, including:
- Emergency water trucking,
- Rehabilitation of strategic water points,
- Provision of water purification supplies,
- WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) interventions.
The Ministry stresses that time is of the essence to prevent a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe.
