Forced Displacement in Somalia

Somalia grapples with significant challenges stemming from various forms of displacement.

The country is the origin of significant numbers of refugees fleeing to nearby countries. As of 2024, most refugees originating from Somalia sought refuge in Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Yemen. Additionally, Somalia has seen its internally displaced population (IDPs) triple in less than a decade.

The report “Livelihood lost: Findings from two rounds of the Somalia Displacement Phone Survey” gathered data from internally displaced people in and out of settlements, refugees, refugee returnees, and host communities. The results show that, even amidst harsh conditions for everyone, displaced persons—particularly internally displaced people living in settlements—fare worse than host communities across nearly all indicators.

Disabilities are more common among displaced Somalis and access to healthcare is precarious. Fewer than 40% of households that experienced illness reported accessing proper medical care. Financial costs and the distance to health facilities were some of the main barriers.

These hurdles are particularly worrisome because almost two out of ten displaced household heads have disabilities, mainly attributable to landmines, inadequate preventative and therapeutic healthcare, aging, congenital issues, and female genital mutilation. Disabilities can hinder the inclusion of displaced people into social and economic activities. Similarly, the high proportion of dependents — including children and the elderly who cannot work—further increases the risk of poverty and vulnerability among the displaced persons in Somalia.

Amidst these challenges, the situation is further compounded by severe droughts, which have significantly deteriorated livelihoods in Somalia and led to protracted internal displacement. Moreover, these alarming circumstances are exacerbated by extreme flooding and ongoing armed conflicts.

A plethora of factors drive displacement in Somalia

Source: Livelihoods lost: Findings from two rounds of the Somalia Displacement Phone Survey.
Disclaimer: Map locations and boundaries are approximate and for illustrative purposes only. No official endorsement is implied.

The report reveals that most displacement-affected households live in unimproved shelters constructed with mud and sticks. The majority have insufficient water supply and share toilet facilities with other households.

Regaining lost livelihoods depends on comprehensive approaches that address displacement’s multifaceted challenges in Somalia. The evidence suggests that area-based solutions serving both displaced communities and their hosts, while addressing vulnerabilities and disparities through tailored interventions, could help restore self-reliance. Expanding social safety nets, supporting agricultural practices, and removing barriers to healthcare and education are also important pathways forward.

Despite all adversities, the substantial youth population offers potential benefits for socio-economic development, which can be harnessed through investments in education, job creation, and their inclusion in decision-making processes. By linking immediate humanitarian assistance with longer-term investments in resilience and skills development, Somalia’s displacement challenges could potentially be transformed into opportunities for sustainable development that enables displaced persons to rebuild their lives.

Livelihoods lost – Findings from two rounds of the Somalia Displacement Phone Survey (2022)