Somalia's economy and food security are deeply intertwined with livestock. The country is one of the world's largest exporters of live animals, with an estimated 70% of the population depending on pastoralism and agropastoralism for their livelihoods. Camels, goats, sheep, and cattle are not merely economic assets but cultural symbols and primary sources of nutrition. This deep dependency creates both challenges and opportunities for animal welfare.
Formal animal welfare legislation is virtually absent. The ongoing conflict since 1991 has destroyed institutional frameworks, veterinary infrastructure, and regulatory capacity. Yet traditional pastoral practices contain embedded welfare considerations—pastoralists rely on healthy, productive animals and have strong incentives to maintain animal health, even if this does not align with contemporary welfare science.
Somalia has the world's largest camel population outside South Asia. Camels are highly valued for milk, meat, and transport. Welfare concerns include overloading during migration, inadequate water access during drought, and injuries from traditional restraint practices. Camel milk is a critical food source, and there are growing commercial dairy operations with variable welfare standards.
Goats and sheep face welfare challenges during long-distance live export. Somalia exports millions of animals annually for the Hajj season and year-round Gulf markets. Transport conditions—crowding, heat stress, inadequate water—have been documented as serious welfare concerns on ships and trucks crossing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Recurrent droughts, worsened by climate change, cause massive livestock mortality and acute animal suffering. The 2022 drought killed an estimated 3–4 million livestock animals. Pastoralists facing herd collapse experience economic devastation alongside witnessing severe animal suffering from starvation and dehydration. Emergency veterinary interventions during droughts are often insufficient due to access constraints.
Donkeys, camels, and horses serve critical transport functions in Somalia's disrupted infrastructure. Urban donkeys carry water, goods, and construction materials in cities like Mogadishu and Hargeisa. Working animal welfare—overloading, inadequate harness fit, untreated wounds—is a persistent concern documented by international animal welfare organizations working in the region.
Somalia's veterinary system was largely destroyed during the civil war. Somaliland (the self-declared northern republic) has made more progress in rebuilding veterinary services than southern Somalia. Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) have been trained by international NGOs to provide basic veterinary care in remote pastoral areas, representing an important model for welfare delivery under resource constraints.
Somalia's wildlife has suffered dramatically from decades of conflict. Elephants, lions, and other large mammals have been largely eliminated from areas that were once home to diverse wildlife. Poaching and bushmeat hunting continue, driven by food insecurity and lack of law enforcement. Marine wildlife—particularly in Somalia's extensive coastline—faces threats from illegal fishing by foreign vessels and historically from piracy-related disruption of conservation efforts.
The live animal trade is a primary welfare concern. Animals exported to Gulf states often endure transport conditions that violate international animal welfare standards. Key issues include:
The Saudi Arabia live animal ban in 2000 (later modified) severely disrupted the Somali economy, illustrating both the export sector's importance and its vulnerability to international welfare regulations.
In Somalia, the welfare of animals and humans is deeply intertwined. Livestock death means food insecurity and economic collapse for families. International humanitarian organizations increasingly recognize this link—FAO, ICRC, and NGOs like Vetwork UK have integrated livestock support into humanitarian response, acknowledging that animal welfare interventions directly support human welfare outcomes.
Despite severe constraints, several developments offer hope for improved animal welfare in Somalia: