A surge in violent clashes in Somalia’s Hiraan region, involving local militias, government forces, and non-state armed groups, has displaced over 22,800 people in Mahaas district since July 27, 2025, with more than 11,000 of them children, according to Save the Children. The fighting, which has intensified over the past two months, has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, leaving thousands cut off from essential services such as food, clean water, healthcare, and shelter. This escalation compounds an already dire situation driven by prolonged drought, aid cuts, and widespread food insecurity in central Somalia.Humanitarian Impact and DisplacementThe conflict has forced families to flee to nearby villages, where they are either hosted by already overstretched communities or left in open grazing lands without adequate shelter or resources. Overcrowded makeshift settlements lack basic amenities, exposing displaced populations—particularly women, children, and the elderly—to harsh conditions and heightened vulnerability. The destruction of water sources and blocked road access have further restricted access to markets and grazing lands, driving a sharp increase in food insecurity. Save the Children reports that the lack of clean water and food has placed thousands of families at risk, with children particularly susceptible to malnutrition and disease.Across central and southern Somalia, approximately 100,000 people have been displaced in the Hiraan and Gedo regions over the past two months, according to humanitarian partners and local authorities. This mass displacement has overwhelmed local resources, with shortages of shelter, food, water, and healthcare services creating a critical gap in support for affected communities.Collapse of Healthcare ServicesThe ongoing violence has led to the suspension of 21 Save the Children-supported health facilities in the Hiraan region, including a critical stabilization center for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Health workers have been forced to flee the conflict zones, leaving families without access to essential medical care. At the time of the escalation, over 150 children receiving treatment for SAM in Mahaas and surrounding areas fled with their families to Bulo Burte and Beledweyne. Save the Children teams are actively working to trace these children and ensure they resume treatment, but the disruption poses severe risks to their health and survival.The closure of health facilities follows earlier aid cuts in 2025, which led to the shuttering of 32 Save the Children-supported health centers in Hiraan. These closures have already weakened the region’s capacity to address malnutrition, which has surged due to a severe drought affecting central Somalia. The combination of conflict and environmental challenges has left children particularly vulnerable, with many lacking access to lifesaving interventions.Child Recruitment and Protection ConcernsSave the Children has raised urgent concerns about the recruitment of young boys into armed groups by both sides of the conflict, a practice that violates international humanitarian law and exacerbates the risks faced by children in the region. Displaced women and children are also experiencing significant psychological distress, compounded by inadequate housing and exposure to violence. The lack of protection services in makeshift settlements leaves vulnerable groups at risk of exploitation, abuse, and further trauma.Broader Context of CrisisThe recent displacement in Hiraan adds to an already complex humanitarian emergency in Somalia. A prolonged drought has devastated agricultural livelihoods, driven up malnutrition rates, and strained humanitarian resources. Aid cuts earlier in 2025 have further limited the capacity of organizations like Save the Children to deliver critical services, leaving communities ill-equipped to cope with the additional burden of conflict-driven displacement.Mohamud Mohamed Hassan, Save the Children’s Somalia Country Director, emphasized the scale of the crisis: “The conflict in Hiraan has shattered access to lifesaving services, forcing children and families to flee from health centers where they were receiving critical care for malnutrition. Displaced families arriving in Beledweyne are living in overcrowded, makeshift settlements with no food, shelter, or basic supplies. The absence of significant humanitarian aid underscores the urgent need for coordinated, unimpeded assistance to address these life-threatening needs.”Call for Urgent ActionSave the Children is calling for immediate international support to address the escalating crisis in Hiraan. Priority needs include:
- Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Items: Provision of tents, blankets, and other essentials to protect displaced families from harsh conditions.
- Food and Water Assistance: Distribution of food supplies and clean water to combat rising food insecurity and prevent waterborne diseases.
- Mobile Health Services: Deployment of mobile clinics to provide medical care, particularly for children with severe acute malnutrition, and to restore access to healthcare in conflict-affected areas.
- Protection Services: Psychosocial support and child protection programs to address trauma and prevent recruitment into armed groups.
- Early Recovery Programs: Investments in education and livelihoods to support long-term resilience and recovery for displaced communities.
The organization is urging humanitarian actors to coordinate with local authorities and host communities to ensure inclusive and targeted interventions. Save the Children also emphasizes the importance of unimpeded access for aid delivery to reach those in need, particularly in hard-to-reach areas affected by road blockages and ongoing violence. Save the Children’s Work in Somalia Save the Children has been active in Somalia and Somaliland since 1951, delivering programs focused on children’s healthcare, education, and nutrition. In 2024, the organization reached 3.2 million people, including 1.9 million children, through its initiatives. Despite the challenges posed by conflict, drought, and funding constraints, Save the Children remains committed to supporting Somalia’s most vulnerable populations. Global Implications The crisis in Hiraan underscores the broader challenges facing fragile states, where conflict, climate change, and underfunded humanitarian responses converge to create compounding crises. The international community’s response to this emergency will be critical in preventing further loss of life and supporting Somalia’s path toward stability and resilience. For more information or to support Save the Children’s efforts in Somalia, visit their official website or contact their Somalia office.
