Wash Cluster Somalia

26/11/2025

🚨 Somalia Water Crisis — 2025

Somalia is experiencing a rapidly worsening water crisis driven by persistent drought, below-average rainfall, and reduced humanitarian funding. The situation is especially severe in northern and central regions such as Awdal, Togdheer, Nugaal, Mudug, Bari, and Sanaag, where repeated failed rainy seasons have dried wells, reduced pastureland, and increased livestock losses. With more than 70% of households in pastoral areas depending on livestock, livelihoods are under serious threat.

In the South-West and Jubaland states, limited maintenance and funding gaps have left many boreholes non-functional—forcing families to rely on costly water trucking. Access challenges in areas like Dinsoor, Buale, Saakow, Ceel Waaq, and Jilib continue to hinder response efforts, triggering displacement toward major towns already struggling with strained water systems.

💧 In some districts in Gedo, water trucking now costs up to $250 per 10,000 liters, making safe water unaffordable for many families—especially IDPs. Reduced access is already increasing the risk of AWD/cholera outbreaks.

📌 Urgent priorities include:

1. Emergency water supply

2. Rehabilitation and solarization of boreholes

3. Cash-for-water assistance

4. Strengthened water quality monitoring and hygiene promotion

Medium-term investment in climate-resilient systems is critical to reduce dependence on trucking and prevent further deterioration ahead of the coming Jilaal dry season.
➡️ Read more below.
https://bit.ly/4pvTnEL

Somalia needs immediate, coordinated action.

14/08/2025

🚨 Increased water shortages reported across parts of , with northern regions among the hardest hit. Communities face dwindling supplies, rising costs, and growing pressure on scarce resources. Urgent action needed to protect lives & livelihoods. 💧

13/08/2025

🚨 Drought-Driven Water Crisis in Northern Somalia

Severe drought is displacing thousands and pushing communities to the brink. 🌍💧
Water points are drying up, prices are soaring, and many boreholes, wells, and berkads are broken due to overuse, poor maintenance, and climate impacts.

In Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, Sool, and Bari, safe water is becoming increasingly unaffordable. Coastal districts face worsening salinity intrusion, leaving many wells brackish and unsafe.

Urgent action is needed — repairs, storage upgrades, solar power improvements, water quality testing, and filtration — to restore safe water access and prevent women and children from walking long distances, which increases protection and health risks. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19ePHD17tCTt9jh_n0DBcL-QizokMsmxf

12/06/2025

🚨 Since January 2025, WASH partners in Somalia have made significant strides in addressing urgent water, sanitation, and hygiene needs:

🌍 311,000 people reached with emergency water through trucking and temporary systems
💧 532,000 people gained sustainable access to safe water via boreholes, wells, and piped systems
🚽 149,000 people benefited from improved sanitation through latrine construction and rehabilitation
🧼 627,000 people received hygiene kits and hygiene promotion, including soap, water treatment, and education on safe practices

These lifesaving interventions are crucial in drought-affected and displacement-prone areas, helping to reduce the spread of waterborne diseases and improve community resilience.

👉 Efforts continue amid growing WASH humanitarian needs across Somalia.

25/05/2025

📢 Galmudug WASH Humanitarian Updates – Now Available

The latest Galmudug WASH Humanitarian Updates are out, summarizing key findings from the recent field mission conducted by the national WASH Cluster team.

The report highlights urgent public health concerns, including disease outbreaks, following the recent flash floods triggered by the Gu rains in Galmudug.

📄 Read the full update here: https://bit.ly/3Shf9h7

22/05/2025

🚨 Disease Outbreak Alert in Galmudug – Urgent Response Needed 🚨

Amid a surge in disease outbreaks across Galmudug, over 400 suspected cases of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD)/Cholera have been reported in Dhusamareb alone, with two tragic deaths, according to the Ministry of Health - Galmudug.

In response, a joint mission by the Ministry of Health (MoH), UNOCHA, and the WASH Cluster team conducted a field visit to Dayax Hospital and MOH laboratory center to assess the situation and meet those affected.

⚠️ Urgent needs identified include:

1. Establishment of a Cholera Treatment Center (CTC)
2. Medical supplies
3. Clean water access and sanitation support to prevent further spread

Communities are at risk. A swift, coordinated, and well-resourced response is critical to contain the outbreak and save lives.

📢 We call on humanitarian partners and stakeholders to urgently support efforts on the ground.

22/05/2025

🚨 Disease Outbreak Alert – Galmudug 🚨

Galmudug is currently experiencing a surge in disease outbreaks, including Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) and measles, largely due to deteriorating Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) conditions. Stagnant floodwaters in Mareer Guur, Galkacyo, Dhuusamareeb, and Bandiradley are further heightening the risk of malaria and other waterborne illnesses.

To coordinate an effective response, the WASH Cluster met with the Director General of the Ministry of Health and the Deputy District Commissioner of Dhuusamareeb, where urgent containment measures were agreed upon.

🛑 Key response actions include:
✅ Emergency chlorination of contaminated water sources and stagnant pools
✅ Rapid rollout of hygiene promotion in high-risk communities
✅ Distribution of essential hygiene kits—including soap, chlorine, and water purification tablets
✅ Enhanced disease surveillance and early warning systems to detect and respond to outbreaks swiftly

📢 Community members are urged to remain vigilant, maintain proper hygiene practices, and report any suspected cases to local health authorities immediately.

22/05/2025

🚨 Flash Flood Response in Mareergur and Dhuusamareeb 🚨

Heavy seasonal Gu rains in April and May triggered devastating flash floods in Mareergur town, displacing over 80 households and affecting many more. In nearby Dhuusamareeb, over 500 households were impacted, with damage to community facilities, schools, WASH facilities and increased health risks from contaminated water and overcrowded shelters.

In response, a joint WASH-Health Cluster meeting was held on 18 May at the Ministry of Health-Galmudug, chaired by the state minister and attended by cluster partners, government line ministries, and UNOCHA. The meeting focused on reviewing outbreak data, defining roles, and coordinating a unified emergency response strategy.

🔹 The Ministry of Health is also preparing vital public health interventions:
✅ Distribution of mosquito nets in malaria-prone areas like Mareergur
✅ Chlorination of open water sources in high-risk communities

These efforts aim to curb the immediate health risks while laying the groundwork for long-term resilience in WASH and health services.

🤝 Let’s work together to support affected communities and build a safer, healthier future.

Wasaaradda Caafimaadka Galmudug

06/05/2025

125K+ people in Jubaland affected by severe drought & critical water shortages—esp. in Afmadow, Badhahdhe, Luuq, Garbaharey & Kismayo. While recent rains offer short-term relief, long-term WASH solutions are urgently needed. https://bit.ly/3Z2TKvC. Jubaland Water Agency Wasaarada Tamarta & Kheyraadka Biyaha Dowlada Jubaland

30/03/2025

24/03/2025

🇸🇴 is facing a severe💧crisis due to consecutive below-average rainy seasons. The Deyr 2024 rains were erratic, leaving several states face acute water shortages. Groundwater levels are declining, impacting rural communities dependent on shallow wells. https://bit.ly/4hDNTDK