Forced Evictions in Somalia destroy $4.6 million in Infrastructure, displacing 143,500 people..

More than 143,500 people have been displaced across Somalia since January 2022 due to forced evictions, wiping out over $4.6 million in critical infrastructure, according to a new report by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)…

The vast majority of these evictions — 82% — have occurred in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, where land tenure insecurity and unregulated urban redevelopment drive families out of informal settlements. The destruction of essential infrastructure, including schools, water points, and health facilities, has compounded the suffering of the displaced, most of whom were already fleeing drought and conflict.

The NRC’s study, “Loss and Damage: Cost Analysis of Losses in Investments and Infrastructure due to Forced Evictions,” paints a stark picture of economic and human devastation. Humanitarian investments, including latrines, schools, and health centers, have been systematically destroyed, forcing families into deeper poverty and instability.

In Mogadishu alone, $1.7 million worth of humanitarian infrastructure and $1.8 million in community-built facilities were lost. Across other regions like Baidoa, Kismayo, Garowe, and Bossaso, significant destruction of schools, Quranic centers, and water systems has undermined fragile support networks.

The report highlights the disproportionate impact on Somalia’s most vulnerable: women, children, and the elderly. Families forced to relocate often move to unsafe areas, where they face heightened risks of violence, disease, and psychological trauma. For children, the upheaval is particularly devastating, disrupting their education and pushing many into child labour or early marriage.

The consequences of eviction are felt most acutely in Mogadishu’s crowded settlements, where temporary shelters are frequently torn down and rebuilt. The report estimates that 80% of evicted families can no longer afford to send their children to school due to high relocation costs.