Nairobi, Kenya — Nearly 26 million people across Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia are entering a new hunger season after the October–December 2025 rains failed, wiping out harvests and drying water sources that had only just begun to recover from the 2020-2023 drought, according to local relief agencies. Official statements indicate that 6. 5 million Somalis—one in three residents—are now projected to face crisis-level hunger through March, double the figure recorded last August.
In Hobyo town, families are paying up to 1. 50 U. S.
Dollars for a 20-litre jerrycan, a sum 25 times higher than prices seen a year ago, after shallow wells emptied and the nearest functioning borehole was located 30 km away. Regional officials confirmed that in 2025 alone an estimated 1. 4 million livestock died in Somalia, with another 2.
5 million sheep, goats and cattle considered “at imminent risk” as pasture disappeared.
The lack of water is driving new displacement. Sources close to the matter said women and girls are walking up to 15 km per trip to reach seasonal water points, a journey that exposes them to security hazards and keeps them out of school or income activities.
Independent observers add that 58 million people region-wide currently lack reliable access to clean water, a figure that surpasses the combined population of the three Horn countries.
Humanitarian funding is not keeping pace with the rising numbers.
The 2025 response plans for Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia requested a combined 2.
65 billion dollars, yet only 29 % of requirements were met by year-end. Early pledges for 2026 stand at 13 % of identified needs, raising the prospect of reduced food, water-trucking and nutrition programmes during the approaching dry months of April to June.
Aid groups are expanding emergency operations where access allows.
Local partners report drilling new boreholes, distributing chlorine tablets and providing small cash grants to help households purchase scarce water, but warn that supplies will exhaust quickly without additional donor support. Officials have not yet outlined fresh government allocations to address the shortfall.
Further details are expected when the Horn of Africa climate outlook forum releases its March — June seasonal forecast later this week.
