Impact of meteorological drought on pastoralist livelihood assets in the Southwest of Somalia

Somalia's climate is mostly arid and semi-arid, with two major rainy seasons and irregular rainfall. Meteorological droughts are becoming more intense and frequent in the southwest of Somalia, increasing vulnerability, disrupting livelihoods, and causing drought-related migration and population displacements. The study examines the multifaceted impacts of meteorological drought on pastoralists' livelihood asset categories: human, social, physical, financial, and natural. Data were gathered in southwest Somalia, focusing on three drought-prone regions-Lower Shabelle, Bay, and Bakool-through extensive semi-structured interviews and questionnaires with a sample of 180 pastoralists. The results indicated that pastoralists were vulnerable to the meteorological drought; natural resources such as water and pasture are becoming increasingly scarce. Simultaneously, essential physical infrastructure, such as water systems, irrigation facilities, and agricultural tools, has declined. At the same time, widespread livestock losses and the collapse of pastoralists' incomes have significantly eroded the financial assets of households that raise animals. Human assets, such as education, health, and traditional knowledge, were affected by the drought. The patterns of migration, along with the absence of mutual support systems, have profoundly weakened the conventional social networks that once existed in the southwest. This situation has diminished social cohesion and overall community resilience. The findings indicate that asset losses are cumulative, underscoring the need for effective drought resilience strategies for pastoralist communities. To effectively address this crisis, policymakers and local institutions must work together to invest in long-term rangeland management, build financial resilience to help pastoralists recover, implement public health interventions, and rebuild and rehabilitate physical infrastructure.