UN Report says 2.9 mln internally displaced in Somalia in 2023

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that the complex humanitarian crisis in Somalia intensified in 2023, with approximately 2.9 million people internally displaced due to a combination of flooding, conflict, insecurity, and drought.

Flooding was the leading cause, responsible for 57 percent of these displacements, while conflict and drought accounted for 25 and 18 percent, respectively. The UNHCR’s latest operational report highlights the significant challenges in Somalia.

Access to many areas remains limited due to ongoing conflict and insecurity. The situation in Somalia is further complicated by long-standing conflict, political tensions, clan dynamics, and the effects of climate change.

The Somalia Disaster Management Agency reported that the October-December 2023 rainy season had a substantial impact, affecting over 2.4 million people and displacing more than one million.