Climate Change Impact in Somalia
Climate change is a serious issue that significantly impacts Somalia’s development prospects and people's lives and health in numerous ways. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns cause more frequent and severe natural disasters, such as floods and droughts, leading to food shortages and malnutrition. Due to Somalia’s economic reliance on natural resources and man-made degradation of them, such as charcoal production and overgrazing, climate change could make the country more vulnerable to poverty and food insecurity. The recent drought in Somalia is among the most devastating. Last year, there were reports of people, mostly children, dying due to the catastrophic drought in central Somalia.
Alongside the immediate impacts of natural disasters, causing physical injuries, displacement, and even death, climate change is also contributing to long-term health problems. For instance, air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels is a principal contributor to respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, particularly among the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. Additionally, flooding caused by sudden intermittent heavy rainfalls is getting more common, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera. Similarly, rising temperatures are contributing to the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever. These have driven the displacement of people, food insecurity, and a decrease in agricultural production.
According to a Climate Risk Profile by the consultancy Weathering Risk, temperatures in Somalia will increase between 1.4 – 1.9 °C by 2030 compared to pre-industrial levels. Heating of even 1.5°C is not considered safe. Every extra tenth of a warming degree would take a serious toll on people’s lives and health. Furthermore, tension over water rises because of continuous irregulated overgrazing and deforestation causing more soil erosion and drought.
As reported by Reliefweb, ministers at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow agreed in 2021 to a USD 350 million Adaptation Fund, and to a USD 600 million Least Developed Countries Fund to help vulnerable people maintain resilience to the worsening influences of climate change, yet this fund is not enough compared to the billions needed to seal the gaps in climate adaptation.
Regarding an IOM report, over 1.3 million are IDPs by drought, which has only increased the pressure on urban centers, such as the capital city Mogadishu, where migrants arrive to live in poor situations and struggle to find employment. IOM mentioned that the persistent lack of rainfall has led to widespread water shortages and increased water prices, especially in Gedo, Bay, Bakool, Lower Juba, Galgaduud, Mudug, and parts of Lower Shabelle Regions. Since May 2022, a total of 33,707 households have been registered as part of Minimum Response Package (MRP) Phase I and Phase II, out of which 88.5% are headed by females. Moreover, 15,210 heads of household (45.1 %) have at least one type of vulnerability, and 45.4% of households have at least a member with a type of vulnerability, whether physical or mental disability, chronic illness, or separated children.
In Kahda, southwest of Mogadishu, there are a lot of IDPs. Everyone has their own problems; among them, people who fled due to drought, caused by no rain - for years sometimes, and the dry-up of the rivers. Halimo, an old Somali woman affected by the recent drought in Somalia, has fled with her granddaughter to Mogadishu, having a slight hope for a better life. “Back home, there was only one well whose water sometimes depletes and sometimes comes back, causing water to be expensive (20 liters cost $0.50). There are some farmers who relied on the rivers' water and have gotten their fields dry, having few farms left without water neither from the river nor the well. The few livestock they had also died due to the ongoing drought affecting Somalia.” She said. Further, these IDPs’ tent-like homes are made up of plastic bags and cartoons. They have difficult times in March and April as there is heat, and the sun is extremely hot. Most people have suffered diarrhea, particularly children, because the little water they had was not hygienic. Droughts and diseases are killing them. “There are poor orphans among us, and some of the children are not accompanied by their parents, only living and suffering with their grandparents like my granddaughter.” Halimo adds. “Nonetheless, there are some benefactors, NGOs, and companies like Hormud and Dahabshil that support us with water and necessary items from time to time. This actually alleviates our suffering and gives us hope that people are still there for each other.”
Overall, the government of Somalia is working with international partners to develop strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change and build resilience to its consequences. WHO and partners are on the ground, guaranteeing access to basic health services, providing treatment for severe malnutrition, and helping Somalia detect, prevent, and respond to disease outbreaks.
