With 620,000 people displaced from their homes due to the drought, serious concern is raised by humanitarian partners over increased reports of gender-based violence and other protection violations including abduction of children and other grave violations against children. 

Cases of gender-based violence are frequently reported to have been perpetrated while travelling or crossing illegal checkpoints to the cities in search of aid.

The lack of protective shelter, safe water and sanitation facilities as well as other basic needs in the displacement settlements further increase the exposure of the most vulnerable to protection risks.  The influx, particularly in and around Mogadishu and Baidoa, is overwhelming providers of services for GBV victims or survivors and further scale up of services in urgently required.