Somalia’s Daawo River dries up early, worsening water crisis in Gedo

The Daawo River, a vital water source for communities in Somalia’s Gedo region, has dried up earlier than expected, exacerbating water shortages and threatening the livelihoods of thousands who rely on it for drinking, irrigation, and livestock.

The river, which flows through Beled Hawo, Doolow, and Luuq, typically experiences a dry period of about two months each year. However, this year, it dried up in February—weeks ahead of schedule—leaving residents scrambling for alternative water sources.

Farmers who depend on the river for irrigation report widespread crop failure, while herders say livestock are dying from thirst due to the lack of water. Some residents have resorted to digging makeshift wells in an attempt to extract any remaining groundwater, but the scarcity remains dire.

“We have faced droughts before, but the river has never dried this early. Our animals are dying, and we don’t know how long we can survive without a proper water source,” said a local herder in Beled Xaawo.

The water crisis comes amid prolonged droughts that have devastated Somalia in recent years, placing additional strain on communities already struggling with food and water insecurity. Aid agencies warn that without immediate intervention, thousands of families could be at risk of displacement as they search for water and pasture for their animals.

Climate experts have attributed Somalia’s worsening water shortages to erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells, a trend that has intensified in recent years due to climate change.

Local officials have called for urgent assistance, urging humanitarian organizations and the Somali government to address the crisis before conditions deteriorate further.