Severe drought conditions continue to ravage the South West region of Somalia and the threat of a possible famine persist. The northern and central regions of Somalia have experienced improved pasture and water resources following the rains, according to the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWSNET) Seasonal Monitor for Somalia for June.

The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance remains 6.7 million due to the extended drought and consecutive poor harvests, which have impacted rural livelihoods and food security in Somalia. Partners report that it will take a while for people to recover from loss of livestock and rebuild their lives and livelihoods. Approximately 2,510,000 people are in crisis and 700,000 in emergency levels of food insecurity.

During a recent mission to Puntland, the Ministry of Interior informed UNFPA of an influx of new arrivals in Bossaso comprising of Somali returnees and Yemeni refugees fleeing conflict in Yemen. The Reception Centre in Bossaso where the returnees transit through was established in 2015 and is still in operation.