India has dispatched a 10-tonne consignment of humanitarian aid to Somalia, providing urgently needed medical supplies amid the country’s worsening humanitarian crisis.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the shipment on Saturday, underscoring India’s continued support for the Somali people as they endure the compounding effects of conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability.
“India’s humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia continues. A consignment comprising 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, which includes essential medicines, surgical items, hospital essentials and biomedical equipment, has departed for Somalia,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
The aid packages, prominently marked with the Indian national flag and labelled “Gift from the People and Government of India,” are part of India’s ongoing efforts to provide critical health support in regions facing severe crises.
Somalia is currently grappling with multiple overlapping emergencies. According to the European Commission, prolonged conflict and extreme weather patterns have devastated the country for decades.
A historic drought from 2020 to 2023, driven by five consecutive failed rainy seasons, affected more than 8 million people, while massive floods triggered by the El Niño phenomenon in late 2023 displaced 1.2 million individuals.
The situation is expected to deteriorate further with La Niña conditions projected to persist until at least mid-2025, bringing more dry spells and below-average rainfall.
These patterns are expected to intensify food insecurity, increase the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera, and worsen inter-clan conflicts driven by dwindling resources.
Currently, nearly half of Somalia’s population is affected by the crisis. In 2025, an estimated six million people will require immediate humanitarian assistance, while 1.8 million children under five are projected to suffer from severe malnutrition. Access to clean water, adequate housing, and quality healthcare remains extremely limited, particularly for displaced communities in rural areas.
India’s timely intervention is expected to help ease the burden on Somalia’s fragile health infrastructure and underscores its growing role as a global humanitarian partner.