Between 2021 and 2023, Somalia experienced its worst drought in four decades, pushing over 8 million people into humanitarian need. An independent Inter-Agency Humanitarian Evaluation (IAHE), launched in late 2023, assessed the collective response by UN agencies and humanitarian actors. The findings show that while humanitarian efforts helped prevent famine and saved countless lives—especially through scaled-up food and nutrition assistance—significant gaps and challenges remain.
The evaluation praised timely early warnings and life-saving interventions, yet highlighted critical weaknesses in accountability, inclusion, and sectoral balance—particularly in WASH services. Protection efforts and outreach to marginalized communities showed progress, but gender and disability inclusion were largely overlooked. The response also revealed unintended consequences, such as aid-linked displacement and increased aid diversion risks.
Coordination mechanisms enabled innovation but were hampered by complexity, limited follow-up, and underuse of strategic foresight. The evaluation calls for better data, simplified coordination structures, and stronger accountability to affected communities. As Somalia continues to face overlapping crises, the lessons from this evaluation offer vital insights for shaping more effective, inclusive, and resilient humanitarian responses—both in Somalia and across future global emergencies.
To read the evaluation report, click here .
