The State of Somalia 2024 report by the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies reveals that, for the first time in years, conflict-related insecurity—especially inter-clan fighting—became the leading cause of displacement, accounting for 52% of all cases. As a result, more than 3.9 million people were internally displaced across the country.
In January, the United Nations and the Federal Government of Somalia launched a $1.6 billion humanitarian response plan aimed at providing life-saving assistance to over five million people. This represented a 37% reduction compared to the amount requested in 2023. However, by 31 December, only 37.5% of the required funding had been secured.
In March, senior officials from the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) visited Baidoa to mobilize urgent support for the deepening humanitarian crisis.
In September, the Somali government identified climate change as one of the most pressing threats to national security. Heavy rains during the Gu season triggered widespread flooding, affecting at least 268,359 people, displacing over 81,000, and resulting in 10 reported deaths as of 19 May.
Regional organizations, including IGAD and Somalia’s Disaster Management Agency, had issued early warnings about expected heavy rainfall in the Horn of Africa from June to September, stressing the urgent need for preparedness measures.
