Navigating Climate Challenges: Socio-Economic Impacts in Beledweyne District, Hirshabelle State, Somalia

This study examines the profound impact of climate change on socio-economic conditions in Beledweyne District, Hirshabelle State, Somalia. Using a descriptive research design, data were gathered from 123 stakeholders, including community leaders, representatives from non-governmental organizations, and internally displaced persons, through semi-structured questionnaires. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS software and Excel for Demographic characteristics. The reliability and validity of the measurement instruments were confirmed through metrics such as Cronbach's Alpha, composite reliability, and Average Variance Extracted (AVE). The findings reveal that climate change intensifies existing vulnerabilities, primarily through recurrent flooding and prolonged droughts, which diminish agricultural productivity, compromise critical infrastructure, and drive population displacement. Specifically, the results indicate substantial declines in crop yields and livestock production, extensive infrastructure damage including roads and community facilities—and rising migration as livelihoods erode. These shifts have deepened poverty, increased food insecurity, and strained social cohesion, highlighting an urgent need for targeted resilience strategies. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and development practitioners, emphasizing the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure, adaptive agricultural practices, and robust social safety nets as mitigative measures against climate-induced socio-economic degradation. These findings offer a foundation for formulating strategic interventions to enhance resilience in Beledweyne and similarly vulnerable regions.