Please refer to the attached file.
Brief Summary
Several callers living in southern riverine areas left messages this week (10-17 September 2026) on Radio Ergo’s call-in platform about their fears of flood risks and what they should do in preparation, and their desire for more climate information. One caller in Gedo said that they had already seen some parts of the river flooding. The majority of calls, however, were on the theme of drought. Most of these came from northern and central regions, with some from South West state, and Jubbaland especially Gedo region. Rainfall was reported by several callers in scattered parts of Somaliland; one in Qardho, Bari; a few in central; and several in various parts of the Shabelles and Jubbaland. Pastoralists especially in central and southern regions reported various diseases affecting their camels, goats and sheep. The following summarises the calls by theme.
Flooding – in Beletweyne, Hiran, one female caller said they hadn’t seen floods in recent years and were worried by what they were hearing about the possibility of massive flooding to come. Another female caller there said they were concerned about predicted floods, and wanted updates as well as help, as they were pastoralists who had lost their livestock to drought. Another female caller in Beletweyne said they noticed the river levels had dropped and their farms were short of water.
In Gedo region, one caller in Kurmaan village, Bardera, said on 11th September that they were seeing river floods [not corroborated] although they hadn’t had rainfall. Another in Bardera said they had heard there could be river floods and were preparing to cultivate and start planting. He said people there wanted more clear information to enable them to prepare and avoid losses, such as saving their water pumps that they used to get water from the river. In Kismayo, a caller said whilst they were happy to be receiving beneficial rain, everyone was talking about possible flooding. In Somaliland, a caller in Togdher requested weather forecast updates on the radio, as many people wanted to know about the rain patterns.
Food Security – in Jowhar, Shabelle, a caller said they had good maize and tomato harvests and the Shabelle river had lots of water. A (repeat) caller in Kurtunwarey, Lower Shabelle, said they were doing well and had good crops, although there weren’t any farm workers to work on the fields.
IDPs – a caller in Baidoa said they had been displaced by conflict in the area and needed help. A caller in Qurdubey north of Dollow, Gedo, said they were drought-hit IDPs who had lost their livestock in previous drought seasons. They had received no aid and appealed for assistance.
Livestock – among callers to the Radio Vet programme, a herder in Abudwak said some of his goats had died of a disease causing diarrhoea. He wanted help with treatment. Another in Galgadud said they were losing their goats to botulism and needed veterinary advice and treatment. A female caller in Jifle, Mudug, complained about her sheep frothing at the mouth. A caller in Baidoa was concerned about a sick camel that was bloated, not feeding, and wouldn’t get up.
Rainfall – in the north, callers reported rain in the Sheikh mountains, Erigabo, and El-afweyne. Female callers in Qardo, Bari region, and Dusamareb, Galgadud, said they were doing well with rainfall. Several called from parts of Middle Shabelle citing good rainfall. Among callers from parts of Jubbaland, a female caller said they were getting ran and their livestock had water and fodder.
Drought – in the north, many callers especially across Sanag region spoke of continuing drought and hardships. A female caller in Badhan said they were short of food and needed aid. A caller in Dhahar said they were still losing livestock. Callers in el-Buh said their livestock were getting weak and the rains they expected had delayed, although some mountain areas had received some rain. Many called from parts of Galgadud about drought, livestock losses, and intense heat. A female caller in Guriel said some houses had been damaged by strong winds. A caller in Baidoa said they had lost some goats to the severe drought and needed help. A caller in Kismayo also appealed for aid due to the impact of drought.