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Key messages
Key Message Update May - September 2026 Risk of Famine persists in and around Bay Region after erratic May rains Download report
  • FEWS NET continues to assess a credible risk of Famine (IPC Phase 5) in Bay Bakool Low Potential Agropastoral and Sorghum High Potential Agropastoral Livelihood Zones between June and September. In the most likely scenario, Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes with a small share of the population in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) are now expected through September following the delayed start of season and erratic distribution of rainfall in May. Although farmers have planted an estimated 80 percent of typical farmland with primarily more drought-resilient sorghum and have maximized weeding control to enhance crop development, crop growth is behind schedule and showing moisture stress. Livestock health and productivity also remain very low. Based on rainfall forecasts, below-average gu and xagaa precipitation is anticipated to prevent crop failure, but at least a 50 percent cereal production deficit is expected in the July/August harvest. However, if the gu rains end early and/or the xagaa rains perform extremely poorly, then the sorghum harvest would likely fail. Given that acute malnutrition has already surpassed the Famine (IPC Phase 5) threshold in Buurhakaba District, a second consecutive failed crop production season would likely rapidly lead to Famine (IPC Phase 5). 
  • In other agropastoral and riverine areas of southern Somalia, food security outcomes are expected to vary based on rainfall performance, crop prospects, and insecurity. Emergency (IPC Phase 4) is also projected between May and September in agropastoral areas of Hiiraan due to anticipated widespread crop failure compounded by insecurity. Key informants reported that most crops failed to germinate or wilted, with many fields left fallow amid insufficient rains for wet planting. In other southern agropastoral and riverine areas, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) is expected through September, as harvests are expected to perform comparatively better. Off-season cropping in riverine areas will provide additional income; however, heavy debts, high food and fuel prices, and worsening insecurity will constrain food access.
  • Emergency (IPC Phase 4) is expected to persist through September in northern and central pastoral areas, with some households likely facing Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5), reflecting extreme food consumption gaps and asset depletion. A slight improvement to Crisis (IPC Phase 3) by June is only anticipated in the Juba Pastoral Cattle and Goats Livelihood Zone given more favorable gu rains. Consecutive poor seasons marked by atypically high livestock mortality, negligible milk production, and near-record high food and water prices have eroded households’ coping capacity and constrained food access. As competition over scarce resources intensifies and clan conflicts escalate, already strained social support systems are weakening, forcing many poor households to resort to distress sales of productive livestock, severe reductions in health care and education, and begging. 
  • Major IDP settlements are expected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and Emergency (IPC Phase 4) through September, with some newly displaced households in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5). FEWS NET is now also projecting Emergency (IPC Phase 4) through September in Dhuusamareeb, Garoowe, and Qardho settlements; new information indicates poorer than expected demand for casual labor. In May 2026 alone, over 30,000 people were displaced, including nearly 5,000 from Bay Region. IDPs have highly constrained food access due to delayed harvests, sustained high food costs, and reduced casual labor. Merchants and traders are refusing to accept SOS amid increasing dollarization, limiting social support provided in SOS. Despite increasing needs, humanitarian assistance is extremely low and has declined further since March due to funding shortages, diminishing potential impact on food security outcomes among this population of highest concern.
  • In central and northern areas, the gu rains have been exceptionally poor with uneven seasonal improvements: in some areas, pasture and water availability improved modestly, others had little to no improvement. Livestock influxes from drier areas quickly exhausted available pasture and water, triggering early migration to areas with better rainfall or atypical movement to Ethiopia. In southern areas, soil moisture deficits persist despite relatively better rains. May rains were cumulatively near to above average but poorly distributed; some areas received just a few days of rainfall. Resource-related clan conflicts are worsening, notably in central and far northwestern regions, preventing many households from accessing pasture, water, and markets for fear of being killed for trespassing on other clans’ lands or in retaliation for other disputes. 
  • Livestock body conditions remain below average, especially cattle and camels whose recovery requires prolonged access to water and pasture. Minimal cattle or camel births or conceptions have been reported; concerningly, livestock abortions are occurring in animals who were able to conceive during the previous deyr and jiilaal seasons. Milk production is nearly absent, depriving pastoralists of income and young children of critical nutrition. However, body conditions of camels in parts of the northwest and in the south, as well as small ruminants countrywide are slowly improving. Sheep and goat births remain low, but animals are gaining weight and starting to conceive. This signals early signs of recovery in areas that had better rainfall, but recovery of livestock productivity still faces significant challenges in the medium-to-long term. 
  • In southern agropastoral areas, most crops were planted late (near the end of April) and are at the vegetative knee-high stage, when they should be near shoulder level. Approximately 60 percent of area planted is sorghum (more than typical); 30 percent is maize (typically intercropped with cowpeas), and the rest is sesame and vegetables. In lowland areas affected by flash floods and in flood recessional cultivated riverine zones, planting occurred much earlier, and crops have now reached the flowering stage. Expected production will depend heavily on rainfall performance in June and July. However, standing crops in Hiiraan Region, Tayeglow (Bakool) and Burhakaba (Bay) districts, and areas surrounding Baidoa, Diinsoor, and Wanlaweyn towns have already developed moisture stress, and most crops will likely fail even if rains perform as expected.
  • Local cereal prices remain at or near historic highs and continue to increase amid high demand and constrained supplies following the failed 2025 deyr. In Baidoa, red sorghum is 21,984 SOS/kilogram (kg), increasing from last month (by 5 percent), last year (86 percent), and the five-year average (119 percent). In Qorioley, white maize rose to 21,250 SOS/kg, increasing 31 percent from last month and over double last year and the five-year average. Imported staples (rice, wheat flour) increased slightly in most reference markets amid increased fuel and transport costs driven by the Middle East crisis. In Mogadishu, imported rice prices increased from last month (by 4 percent), last year (6 percent), and average (20 percent).
More analysis reports View all Somalia food security analysis reports Monthly analysis
Food Security Outlook Update Somalia April - September 2026
Key Message Update Somalia March - September 2026
Food Security Outlook Somalia February - September 2026
Alerts / special reports
Alert Somalia May 14, 2026
Alert East Africa December 23, 2025
Alert East Africa December 16, 2025
Monthly analysis
Food Security Outlook Update Somalia April - September 2026
Key Message Update Somalia March - September 2026
Food Security Outlook Somalia February - September 2026
Alerts / special reports
Alert Somalia May 14, 2026
Alert East Africa December 23, 2025
Alert East Africa December 16, 2025
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FEWS NET–style food security map of East Africa showing crisis severity by color, with conflict icons and alerts across Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
Acute Food Insecurity Area-Level Classifications

FEWS NET produces IPC-compatible area-level acute food insecurity classifications monthly for FEWS NET reporting countries. This data is available as spatial files, tabular files, and map images. It is a key output of FEWS NET integrated food security analysis and is reported in our Food Security Outlooks and Outlook Updates (FSO/U) and Key Message Updates (KMU).

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Acutely Food Insecure Population Estimates

These estimates reflect the total population estimated to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity outcomes, including those who are receiving humanitarian food assistance and those who are not. This tabular data is a key output of FEWS NET integrated food security analysis and is reported in our FSOs, global Food Assistance Outlook Briefs (FAOB), and semi-annual global Peak Food Assistance Needs Outlook Briefs.

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Monthly Global Price Watch reports

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Production and Trade Flow Maps

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Price data

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Agroclimatology resources

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Weekly Global Weather Hazards reports

This report provides a global outlook on anticipated severe weather events, including maps with current weather information, short and medium range weather forecasts (up to one week), and the potential impact on crop and pasture conditions.

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Seasonal Monitor reports

This report provides regional updates on weather events, rainfall patterns, and associated impacts on ground conditions (e.g., cropping conditions, water availability) during a given geography’s rainy season, along with a short-term rainfall forecast.

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Agroclimatology data

FEWS NET and its partners offer a range of online tools that share insights on rainfall, temperature, vegetation, soil moisture, and surface water conditions derived from remote sensing data collection and modeling.

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Livelihoods resources

Access FEWS NET’s maps, reports, and data on local livelihood systems.

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Somalia 2015 Livelihood Zones Map (.PNG)
Livelihood Baselines

Baselines provide quantitative analysis of household livelihood options. It includes a detailed breakdown of food, cash, and expenditure patterns. The Baseline also highlights market patterns, seasonality, and coping strategies. 

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Livelihood Zone maps

Zone Maps illustrate the country by zone, showing areas where people generally have the same options for obtaining food and income and engaging in trade.

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Seasonal Calendar

These calendars illustrate the monthly availability of key food and income sources, plus the starts and ends to key rainy and lean seasons. They supplement livelihoods resources and are integral to FEWS NET’s food security analysis.

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Seasonal Calendar image showing harvest and rainy periods for Somalia
Seasonal Calendar image showing harvest and rainy periods for Somalia
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