Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs It is a specialized, independent, non-profit media network that observes and follows up the Somali humanitarian scene
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MOGADISHU — The United Nations has issued a stark warning regarding a deepening humanitarian emergency in Somalia, reporting that over 142,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been forcibly evicted from temporary shelters since the start of 2025.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that the majority of these evictions occurred in urban and peri-urban settlements across key cities, including Mogadishu, Baidoa, and Kismayo. Most of those affected had previously fled conflict, climate disasters, or prolonged drought, only to face renewed displacement.
OCHA emphasized that “Repeated evictions exacerbate vulnerabilities and cut families off from essential services such as food assistance, healthcare and education,” urging authorities to halt unlawful land clearances and establish safeguards to protect these vulnerable populations.
The evictions are linked partly to private land disputes and development projects. However, rights groups stress that weak land governance and inadequate protection policies have left IDPs vulnerable, with many reportedly expelled without notice, losing their makeshift shelters, belongings, and aid supplies.
Somalia currently hosts over 3.8 million IDPs, one of the highest figures globally, primarily driven from their homes by conflict and climate shocks. Humanitarian coordinators insist that the evictions must cease, as the country cannot build resilience while families are repeatedly uprooted.
Aid organizations are calling for urgent government intervention to provide legal land tenure solutions and alternative resettlement areas to prevent further cycles of displacement. The UN has appealed for stronger coordination between federal and local authorities to uphold human rights obligations and prevent forced removals.
