Somalia & Somaliland Q4 Deep Dive Report
October to December 2025
Trends and analysis
10 January 2026
This report is written by the Talk to Loop Global and the Somalia & Somaliland team, with ongoing insights and support from our national host, . Their expertise in the Somali context, helps ensure the platform is appropriately contextualised. This report reflects that collaboration.
Throughout the report there are hyperlinks to go directly to community feedback, like on a social media platform. We invite you to click on the hyperlinks embedded within the report to read and engage directly with the community feedback referenced. Feel free to reply, like and share. The Loop platform is open for all to filter, and learn from communities.
To download the pdf version of the report click here.
To download the report summary click here.
Loop is available to communities in Somalia/Somaliland mainly via our Voice channel 24 hours a day 7 days a week. All incoming feedback undergoes moderation by trained Somalis who speak the relevant dialects, including Maxaatiri, Maay, Benadiri, Bajuuni, Barawani Chimini and Kizigua-Mushunguli.
Thousands of people call Loop’s toll-free number (2023) and moderators follow our protocols to either publish the feedback, refer it internally to the Sensitive Feedback Lead, or reject it.
⬆️6016 pieces of feedback were published on Loop between October and December 2025, marking a 350% increase from Q3 (1338). During this quarter, Loop received 69,787 calls (Q3 had 21,724) with 35,000+ calls in December. The team of moderators and translators have been working over time to process the feedback.
This significant increase is due to some internal factors: Loop’s improved connectivity across the country; continuous awareness raising activities by key partners; awareness of Loop spreading by word of mouth and; Loop blocking some rogue users of the line, resulting in more calls coming through.
The increase is also due to some external factors such as: a decrease in services available for the community; a decrease in CFMs or feedback mechanisms linked to these closed projects; an increase in needs due to severe drought; spikes in conflict and security incidents in several locations and the resulting displacement. 87% of feedback this quarter was requests for assistance, coming from individuals who have lost their livelihoods, specifically livestock and crops, due to the drying of rivers and lack of rain, with many now forced to live as IDPs in camps or rural areas.
A significant demographic among those seeking help are the elderly, many of whom are widowed and responsible for the care of orphaned children. Displacement leaves them without a traditional support system or source of income. The most common issues cited include acute hunger, a lack of clean water (often requiring water trucking or new water points), and a lack of basic housing. Geographically, the overwhelming majority of requests originate from the Lower Shabelle region, particularly from the Marka district, followed by smaller concentrations in Banaadir (Mogadishu), Gedo (Luuq), and Lower Juba (Kismayo).
Between October and December 2025, Loop handled 342 sensitive reports, a steady upward trend across the whole year. This quarter, 59% of sensitive reports were service-level complaints. Child protection (CP) reports ⬇️ remained relatively stable, while general protection reports ⬆️ increased significantly from 18 (Q3) to 42 (Q4). Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) cases ↔️ remained low at 1, while Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) ⬆️ rose slightly to 5 (from 3 in Q3). Discrimination cases ⬆️ increased to 7 (from 1).
Q4 shows a particularly concerning change in the steady upward trend throughout the year. Q4 marked a sharp decline, with the lowest number of GBV reports recorded this year. This could be linked to the wider crisis, as communities focus on meeting basic needs and might deprioritise reporting protection concerns. Another possible explanation, based on feedback from a few survivors who had used Loop in the past, reported that they are now able to guide and connect other community members directly to the appropriate service providers, which may have contributed to the decrease in reports received.
This quarter, Loop received and handled ⬆️ 28 reports (8%) of aid diversion, fraud, and corruption, which is also an overall decline. Reports mentioned concerns about unfair distribution of assistance, with some reports suggesting that access was influenced by local power dynamics, personal or clan connections, and that aid was often directed to those with connections rather than the most vulnerable. Several complainants also reported that displaced persons, minority groups, and people with specific vulnerabilities faced disadvantages during registration or were excluded from support altogether.
Other service-level complaints were about what happens after registration. Complainants described having been registered, often with fingerprints, photographs, or cards issued, but not receiving any follow-up, update, or clarity on their status. Many individuals also reported abrupt suspension of cash or food assistance, cards being deactivated, and distributions being discontinued, without explanation. Communities perceived this lack of information as being excluded from assistance while others were supported. The lack of communication with those not selected, fuels misunderstanding, and creates perceptions of unfairness, and reduced trust.
This quarter,⬆️ 48 sensitive reports (14%) were submitted by individuals self-identifying as belonging to minority or marginalised communities (Bantu, Eyle, Shabelle, Mushunguli, Shiindle, Bajuni, Banadiri including Shanshi), a notable increase compared to 28 reports in Q3. This is higher proportionally than people self-identifying as belonging to minority or marginalised groups sending in open feedback.
This quarter, 79 sensitive feedback reports were received from Lower Shabelle, 87% of these were in December alone. Most feedback originated from Marka district, particularly in Janaale, Buufow Bacaad and Shalanbood areas. Women and girls accounted for 65% of all reports from the region. 43% of all fraud and corruption reports this quarter originate from Lower Shabelle. Many reports from Lower Shabelle allege that humanitarian aid is distributed unfairly, with access influenced by clan affiliation or other local power dynamics, and that beneficiaries are sometimes coerced or pressured to accept divided portions of assistance.
The overall acknowledgment rate for sensitive referrals remains high and consistent, demonstrating continued strong engagement from organisations. This pattern is not consistent with open feedback where there is a complete breakdown in organisational responsiveness (7% in October, 13% in November and 0% in December), suggesting systemic challenges in organisational capacity and commitment to community feedback mechanism, at a time when the needs across Somalia are increasing.
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