Somalia’s environment depends on a fragile balance between rainfall, groundwater, vegetation, grazing land and the way people and livestock use natural resources. When rainfall is poor across successive seasons, the effects go beyond a shortage of drinking water. Pasture declines, livestock lose condition, farmers may lose crops, and the cost of water and food can rise. Heavy rainfall can also bring floods that damage farms, roads and wells.
The FAO GIEWS country brief dated 15 September 2026 reported below-average and unevenly distributed Gu rainfall between April and June. The Gu season normally accounts for about 60 per cent of Somalia’s annual cereal output. FAO’s Agricultural Stress Index indicated that, by mid-June 2026, severe drought had affected an estimated 25 to 70 per cent of cropland in parts of Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle and Bay. Conditions differ from one region to another, so water and agricultural decisions need to draw on local information that is updated regularly.
Environmental protection begins with measures suited to each area. These may include planting locally appropriate tree species, protecting natural vegetation, managing grazing areas, improving water harvesting, maintaining wells and preventing uncontrolled tree cutting. Every project should consider soil type, rainfall, land-use rights and the needs of people who depend on the resource.
Local communities should help decide which trees are suitable, which areas need protection, who will maintain facilities and how water will be shared. A project may deliver little lasting benefit if responsibility for its future management is not agreed from the start. Rainfall, well levels and pasture conditions should be monitored and shared in a form people can use.
Land and water support many Somali livelihoods. Protecting them is not a one-season activity; it is a responsibility shared across generations.
Preparing for drought and floods
Pastoral households, farmers and people in smaller towns need seasonal information they can understand and use. Early knowledge of poor rainfall, groundwater conditions and pasture quality gives families time to plan livestock movements, water storage and farming activities. Warnings of heavy rain and flooding should also reach people living along rivers and in areas exposed to runoff.
Wells and berkads benefit from maintenance plans, usage records and arrangements to check water quality. A repaired well may quickly become unusable if responsibility for the pump, fuel or maintenance costs is unclear. Tree planting can help, but locally appropriate species, water availability, soil conditions and community needs should be assessed first. Protecting natural vegetation and managing grazing require agreements with the people who use the land.
Image: The effects of water scarcity in Mudug Region, Galmudug, 2021. Photo: Abdirizack Abdullahi; CC BY-SA 4.0. Image source · Image licence.
Understanding rainfall and changing risks
Somalia has two main rainy seasons, Gu and Deyr, as well as dry periods that affect livestock movement, farming and water availability. Rainfall is not uniform across the country: one region may receive useful rain while another experiences drought. National reports should therefore be supplemented by local information on well levels, pasture, rainfall, river conditions and water prices. Such information helps households plan livestock movements, crops, water storage and expenses.
The FAO GIEWS country brief dated 15 September 2026 reported below-average and unevenly distributed Gu rainfall between April and June. FAO estimates indicated that severe drought affected parts of cropland in Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle and Bay in mid-June. However, later Gu and Xagaa rains supported partial recovery in some areas, while the Deyr outlook also pointed to the possibility of above-average rain and flood risk. Conditions must therefore be monitored as they change; a situation observed in one season should not be described as applying uniformly across Somalia.
Managing land and water
Rangeland management involves protecting natural vegetation, planning grazing areas and maintaining wells and berkads. Pastoralists have long used seasonal mobility to reach water and pasture. When traditional routes are blocked or water points are not maintained, livestock may concentrate in a small area, increasing pressure on land and the possibility of disputes over shared resources. Clear agreements about water use, grazing periods and maintenance of shared facilities can help protect these resources.
Tree planting is useful when locally appropriate species are selected and water and aftercare are available. Not every tree is suitable for every environment; some species may use large amounts of water or affect other vegetation. Protecting native trees, supporting natural regeneration, reducing uncontrolled clearing and expanding livelihood and energy options can reduce pressure on woodland resources.
Preparedness and community solutions
Communities, local authorities and technical agencies can prepare before rainy or dry seasons by identifying who receives warnings, which wells need repair, where floodwater may flow, what emergency supplies are needed and how people and livestock will be protected. Early warnings must be understandable and reach people without internet access, including through radio, phone messages and local networks. Each project needs an operating and maintenance plan so it continues to function after initial support ends.
Environmental resilience is not built through a single tree-planting or well-digging campaign. It depends on reliable information, sound management of land and water, community participation, maintained infrastructure and long-term planning. Environmental protection is a shared responsibility, while public authorities retain their duties for services, regulation and risk reduction.
