Groundwater remains Somalia’s most critical and dependable water source, sustaining urban and rural populations, pastoral livelihoods, and productive sectors especially as surface water availability continues to decline during the ongoing drought. SWALIM has finalized the December 2025 Groundwater Status Update which indicates that aquifer conditions across the country are strongly driven by seasonal rainfall and are increasingly stressed by recurrent drought, high temperatures, and rising abstraction. Significant groundwater declines were recorded in parts of Somaliland and Puntland following poor Deyr 2025 rains, while central and southern regions generally maintained more stable conditions. Groundwater quality trends closely mirrored water-level changes, with higher salinity during periods of depletion and improvements following seasonal recharge, underscoring the close link between climate variability, aquifer dynamics, and water quality Despite these pressures, weekly monitoring data indicates that most strategic boreholes remain functional, particularly in south-central Somalia, ensuring continued access to water during the early Jilaal dry season. However, localized mechanical failures mainly related to pumps, power supply, and riser pipes have concentrated abstraction on fewer water points in Puntland and Somaliland, accelerating aquifer stress and contributing to rising water prices in some regions. Persistently low river levels along the Shabelle and Juba rivers have further increased dependence on groundwater for domestic use, irrigation, and water trucking. With hot and dry Jilaal conditions expected to persist and uncertainty surrounding the Gu 2026 rains, sustained groundwater monitoring, rapid rehabilitation of non-functioning boreholes, and strengthened demand management remain essential to mitigate escalating water stress and support informed humanitarian and development responses