Structural vulnerability and climate shocks drive hunger in Somalia, affecting 6.5 million
Original framing: “Somalia's drought leaves 6.5 million on brink of hunger crisis, says ICRC” — Africa News
Drought has long been a recurring feature in the Horn of Africa, but the current crisis is exacerbated by colonial-era land policies that disrupted traditional resource management. Pastoralist systems were once resilient to climate variability, but decades of conflict and weak governance have eroded these systems, making communities more vulnerable.
The crisis in Somalia is not a natural disaster but a systemic failure rooted in climate injustice, colonial legacies, and weak governance.
Indigenous pastoralist systems offer proven adaptive strategies, yet these are undermined by land privatization and conflict. Cross-cultural models from Kenya and Ethiopia suggest that community-led resource management can enhance resilience. Scientific models confirm the role of climate change, but they must be integrated with local knowledge to avoid misaligned interventions. Women and youth, who bear the brunt of the crisis, are often excluded from decision-making, despite their critical role in food systems and social cohesion. A systemic response must include climate adaptation, land restoration, and inclusive governance to address both immediate needs and long-term stability.