In the first quarter of 2026, Somalia and Somaliland faced a grim reality, as revealed by a comprehensive report from Loop. The report, which covers the period from January to March, paints a picture of increasing vulnerabilities and heightened concerns among the population. Loop, a platform for receiving and analyzing feedback, received a total of 30,167 calls, published 3,650 pieces of feedback, and handled 353 sensitive reports—a decrease from the previous quarter but a direct result of an overwhelming surge in reporting in November and December 2025.
The analysis of feedback highlights a concerning trend: the compounding vulnerabilities faced by certain groups, particularly persons with disabilities. Over 72% of those reported are from low-income families, with 65% internally displaced, 58% caring for children, 52% from female-headed households, and 45% orphaned children or caregivers. These individuals often live in makeshift shelters, struggle with health complications, and are heavily reliant on humanitarian assistance.
Gender disparities are also pronounced, with women increasingly using Loop to report hardships. In Q1 2026, 83% of users who mentioned children were women, and 90% reported fostering other family members. The report notes a significant increase in the number of people reporting as caregivers for persons with disabilities, with 95% of these caregivers being female. The economic burden on women is highlighted, with 89% reporting insufficient household income and 584 pieces of feedback identifying women as sole breadwinners.
The report further underscores the challenges faced by minority language speakers, particularly the Kizigua — speaking community. They exhibit extreme vulnerability, with 82% being internally displaced, 68% from low-income families, 55% in female-headed households, 48% caring for orphaned children, and 35% legal refugees or migrants. These individuals face compounded disadvantages due to displacement, socioeconomic marginalization, gender-based household structures, and legal status barriers.
Loop’s collaboration with Africa’s Voices Foundation on a citizen engagement initiative aimed at strengthening early warning systems in Somalia has yielded valuable insights. The Baraarug radio programme, facilitated through Loop, has been instrumental in gathering real-time feedback on climate communication and disaster preparedness needs. However, the feedback also reveals limitations, such as the limited reach of text-based warnings due to high illiteracy levels, with a strong preference for voice messages.
Sensitive reports, including those related to protection concerns, gender — based violence, and mental health, have also seen an increase. Loop handled 353 sensitive reports, with 28% related to protection concerns, including 14 cases of GBV. Mental health and psychosocial support reports rose to 6, with cases concentrated in Lower Shabelle and Banadir regions. The report also highlights concerns about aid diversion, fraud, and corruption, with 37 reports received, primarily from Lower Shabelle.
Service — level complaints, totaling 216, were primarily concentrated in Galguduud, Lower Shabelle, Lower Juba, and Gedo. Many complainants reported being registered for assistance but receiving no updates or clarity on their status, leading to reduced trust in the humanitarian system. The report concludes with an emphasis on the need for a common independent feedback and safe reporting mechanism to ensure that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard across Somalia and Somaliland.
Source: reliefweb
Original author: Talk to Loop
