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‍To download the report summary 📥 click here.

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From January to March 2026 we received ⬇️30,167 calls and published ⬇️3650 pieces of feedback and handled ⬆️ 353 sensitive reports. This is a decrease from Q4 2025 and is a direct result of Loop being overwhelmed by the 200% surge in reporting we received in November and December. We needed to ensure timely moderation of this feedback before continuing to receive high call volumes. This was a time limited restriction and Loop is now back fully functional. See further details on the internal and factors and external factors causing this spike in our Q4 report from 2025. 

The feedback analysis identifies a number of trends this quarter, including compounding vulnerabilities for some and increased reporting from women and girls as well as minority language speakers.

Compounding vulnerabilities:

The main trends coming out of the data show an increasingly dire situation for people in Somalia, especially those with existing vulnerabilities. For example, Persons with disabilities face compounded vulnerability, with 72% reported also being from low income families, 65% were also internally displaced, 58% were caring for children, 52% were from female-headed households, and 45% were orphaned children or caring for orphans. 

They experience unique challenges and tend to be completely dependent on humanitarian assistance. Many report living in makeshift shelters with no proper housing, and 38% mention health complications requiring medications they cannot afford.

Gender:

We continue to more women increasingly using Loop and more women reporting hardships compounded by the different vulnerabilities and caregiving responsibilities they bear, including being the primary caregivers of PLWDs.  ⬆️83% (57%, Q4 2025) of users who mentioned children were women and 90% reported fostering other family members. ⬆️1.6% of people reported being caregivers for PLWD. Among these caregivers, ⬆️95% were female (93%, Q4; 75%, Q3; 67%, Q2 2025).

In 584 pieces of feedback women identified as being the sole breadwinners.  Additionally, ⬆️89% of women reported being a solo parent following the death of a spouse and caring for orphaned relatives' children, or other orphans. ⬆️82% of women reported insufficient household income, highlighting the economic burden on women, and additional responsibilities.

Minority reporting:

In Q1 of 2026 we saw a significant increase in reports (293) across diverse languages and minority groups. Women comprise 66% of the feedback. Kizigua speaking minorities exhibit extreme vulnerability with 82% being internally displaced people, 68% are from low income families, 55% female-headed households, 48% caring for orphaned children, and 35% legal refugees/ migrants. These multiple vulnerabilities create a pattern of compounded disadvantage where displacement, socioeconomic marginalization, gender-based household structures, and legal status barriers intersect to severely limit their access to humanitarian assistance and coping mechanisms in the ongoing crisis.

Kizigua speaking minorities are primarily talking about their displacement by conflict and drought, exclusion from aid distribution, lack of basic services, and discrimination. They report that jobs are distributed based on clan favoritism despite having qualified members. One person specifically notes language barriers affecting healthcare access, as they don't understand the Maxatiri dialect used by doctors and others suggest having teachers who speak the local language to improve the educational outcomes of all children.

Radio Project:

In this quarter, Loop closely collaborated with Africa's Voices Foundation on a citizen engagement initiative designed to strengthen early warning systems (EWS) in Somalia using interactive radio programmes, SMS, and IVR platforms, to gather real-time feedback from communities. The community members who contributed to the Baraarug radio programme via Loop shared useful insights about climate communication and disaster preparedness needs. The feedback shows that while the programme is valued as an important source of drought and flood warnings, callers, particularly those in rural pastoralist and farming communities, report that text-based warnings have limited reach due to high illiteracy levels, with multiple requests for voice messages instead. The feedback also highlights that community members want specific step-by-step instructions on how to prepare for and respond to early warning signs. 

Sensitive Feedback, protection reports:

Between January and March 2026, Loop handled a total of ⬆️353 sensitive reports (342 in Q4). ⬇️28% (100 reports) were related to protection concerns. Of which ⬇️14 Gender Based Violence (GBV) while the remaining incidents included intimate partner violence (3 cases) and physical violence (4 cases). Half of the cases originated from Banadir and there was a notable rise in sensitive reports by older women.

As in the previous quarters, most GBV incidents occurred either within the home or in public spaces, particularly while women were engaged in daily livelihood activities such as collecting firewood, gathering metal scraps for sale, farming, and herding livestock, or while travelling to and from work along isolated routes, highlighting continued exposure to risk during routine movements.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) reports rose to ⬆️6, and were primarily concentrated in Lower Shabelle and Banadir regions. The majority of MHPSS cases were related to more severe mental health conditions. Several cases described individuals experiencing mental illness or episodes of violent behaviour, requiring constant supervision, or even restraining techniques. These cases are often difficult to refer due to the limited availability of specialised, accessible, and free mental health services.

Sensitive feedback, fraud and corruption:

This quarter, Loop received and handled ⬆️37 reports (10%) of aid diversion, fraud, and corruption, marking a notable increase from 8% (28 reports) in Q4 and 7% (25 reports) in Q3 of 2026. Most originated from Lower Shabelle, particularly Marka district (62%). The majority of cases were related to improper influence and economic extortion. 

Reports highlighted concerns about unfair distribution of assistance, with several suggesting that access was influenced by local power dynamics, personal relationships, or clan affiliation. In some cases, beneficiaries reported being required to agree to share a portion of their assistance as a condition for being registered or included in assistance lists. Most reporters of aid diversion attributed the issues to local leaders or gatekeepers rather than formal organisations.

A total of 216 service-level complaints were recorded this quarter. They were primarily concentrated in Galguduud (25%), particularly in Cabudwaaq and Dhusamareb, followed by Lower Shabelle (22%), Lower Juba (21%), and Gedo (10%). Many complainants reported being registered, often through fingerprinting, photographs, or issuance of cards, but received no subsequent updates, feedback, or clarity on their assistance status. This lack of communication continues to fuel misunderstandings, perceptions of unfairness, and reduced trust within communities. In addition, suspension, delays or interruption of cash or food assistance, with limited clarity on whether this was due to programme closure, targeting changes, or missing entitlements resulted in reduced trust in the humanitarian system.

Referrals:

A total of ⬆️104 referrals for assistance and allegations were made during this reporting period. The rise (from 60 in Q4 2025) is mainly driven by a higher number of referrals for health services, as well as a doubling of referrals related to service-level complaints.

Loop continues to be available for onboarding of new organisations and stakeholders interested in using a common independent feedback and safe reporting mechanism with evidence of hearing from the most vulnerable across Somalia and Somaliland.

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To download the pdf version of the report 📥click here

‍To download the report summary 📥 click here.

‍