Somalia is facing a deepening crisis shaped by hunger, displacement, and rising insecurity – yet on the ground, strong faith and community resilience continue to define daily life alongside hardship.
This is the view of well-known South African educator, Edris Khamissa, who recently returned from a visit to the east African country. He said across the country, nearly half a million children under five were suffering from acute malnutrition, with clinics running out of life-saving therapeutic food. Health workers were forced to ration supplies or turn children away, with interruptions in treatment risking irreversible damage.
The crisis is being compounded by global events. Shipping disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East have delayed the delivery of aid, while rising fuel costs have driven up the price of transporting essential supplies, placing further strain on an already stretched system.
At the same time, drought is displacing thousands.
Tens of thousands of people have already been forced from their homes this year as water sources dry up, crops fail, and livestock are lost. Many are moving into overcrowded settlements where access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare is severely limited.
Along Somalia’s coastline, concerns are also growing over a resurgence of piracy, with multiple vessels targeted in recent days, adding another layer of instability to an already fragile environment.
Yet, amid these overlapping crises, accounts from the ground point to something often overlooked.
Speaking to One Nation Media, Khamissa described communities deeply rooted in faith, with a strong love for Islam and the Qur’an shaping daily life.
“When I went to Somalia, I went there full of trepidation and doubts. But I’m so glad, through Allah’s mercy, I got to Somalia. These are some of the most beautiful people that I’ve met. The love for faith and the Qur’an cannot be questioned.”
Drawing from his three-day stay in Somalia, including visits to schools, madrassas, and hospitals, Khamissa said that despite visible hardship, there was a strong sense of commitment, from teachers continuing lessons in difficult conditions to healthcare workers serving with limited resources.
He also observed a visible security presence across parts of the country. Somalia’s challenges are not new, but the convergence of conflict, climate shocks, and global disruptions is intensifying the pressure.