In a strong gesture of solidarity and support, India has sent a 10-tonne consignment of humanitarian aid to Somalia, a nation grappling with compounded crises stemming from prolonged conflict, climate extremes, and severe economic distress.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared the development on social media platform X, confirming that the shipment includes vital medical supplies such as essential medicines, surgical equipment, hospital essentials, and biomedical apparatus.
“India’s humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia continues,” the MEA post read. The packages, marked with the Indian national flag and the message “Gift from the People and Government of India”, underscore New Delhi’s ongoing commitment to international humanitarian outreach.
Somalia, long plagued by instability, has recently endured a series of devastating climate events. According to the European Commission, the 2020–2023 drought—resulting from five consecutive failed rainy seasons—affected over 90% of the country and impacted more than 8 million people.
The subsequent 2023 Deyr rainy season brought catastrophic flooding, worsened by El Nino conditions, displacing 1.2 million people and affecting a total of 2.5 million.
Currently, Somalia faces a prolonged La Nina phase expected to persist through mid-2025, triggering dry spells and below-average rainfall. These climatic conditions are anticipated to worsen food insecurity, increase the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera, and escalate conflict over scarce resources.
An estimated 47% of Somalia’s population is impacted by conflict, droughts, floods, displacement, and disease outbreaks, with six million people projected to need immediate humanitarian assistance and protection in 2025. Critical shortages in food, clean water, housing, and healthcare services remain widespread, particularly in rural and displaced communities.
The Commission also warned of severe malnutrition among 1.8 million children under five and acute food insecurity for 4.6 million people by the end of 2025. Forced displacement is expected to continue at levels similar to 2024.
India’s timely assistance reaffirms its role as a responsible global partner, extending crucial aid to alleviate suffering and support recovery in regions facing humanitarian emergencies.
