As Gaalkacyo hosts internally displaced persons (IDPs), data used on IDPs was obtained from the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) 2019 and partners on the ground.

The majority of IDPs in Gaalkacyo originate from Mudug, Middle Shabelle, Banadir, Hiraan and Bay regions (Shelter Cluster Somalia 2014).

There were 33 IDP camps in Gaalkacyo North—of the total population, 41% were males and 59% were females. Gaalkacyo South had 48 IDP camps—48% and 52% of the individuals are males and females respectively (CCCM 2019).

IDP sites are extremely vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19 due to the congested nature of their shelters and limited access to sanitation resources. IDPs also depend on communal, shared facilities in the camps, further increasing the risk of spread of the COVID-19 virus.