Key highlights

• Drought conditions continued to worsen since November affecting more than 50% of the population.
• Pasture and water came to a complete depletion in most areas leaving about 440,000 in displacement as in 31 March 2017 (OCHA Situation Report 2).
• During the last half of March, moderate rains were received in the western side of Somaliland marking a possible start of the much waited Gu rains. The rains provided an immediate relief to water stress in such areas as Boroma and Gebiley in Awdal and Woqooyi Galbeed regions.
• Moderate to heavy rains were also observed in the Ethiopian highlands leading to an increase of river levels along the Juba and Shabelle rivers in Somalia. Since early hours of 3 April, both rivers recovered the average levels sharply (3.15m at Shabelle and 1.74m at Juba), which saves the crops that are at the brink of failure and increases the irrigation potential.
• The rainfall forecast for the coming week valid up to 12 April 2017 is pointing towards moderate rains in Southern regions but higher within the Ethiopian highlands. Light rins are foreseen in Somaliland while little or no rains are expected in Puntland. The rains will lead to increased water availability for livestock and domestic use.

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