# Mudug (Galkayo)

> Mudug is a region of central Somalia with about 1.5 million people, split between Puntland in the north and Galmudug in the south.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/regions/mudug/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Who lives there

About 1,528,722 people (IPC, early 2026): 918,998 in northern Mudug and 597,037 in the south ([EUAA 2026](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/print/pdf/node/31721)). The region has five districts: Galkayo, Galdogob, Jariiban, Hobyo and Xarardheere. Galkayo is the only city shared by two member states. North Galkayo is under Puntland and South Galkayo under Galmudug ([SSF III, 2026](https://stabilityfund.so/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SSF-III_Lighting-up-Galkayo.pdf)). Many communities live in the region ([EUAA 2025](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/25-galmudug/252-mudug)).

**Displaced:**
- About 66,000 people were displaced by drought in Hobyo district in February 2026 ([EUAA 2026](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/print/pdf/node/31721)).
- 254 families pushed out by drought registered in the Sahan, Mudud and Dooho camps in three months, with more in Horiyo camp ([Radio Ergo, Aug 2026](https://radioergo.org/en/2026/08/impoverished-pastoralists-in-mudug-flee-to-resource-poor-camps-in-galkayo/)).
- Local fighting in Galdogob displaced 8,010 people in December 2024 ([EUAA 2025](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/25-galmudug/252-mudug)).

## Work and money

Herding is the base. Three years of poor rain killed whole herds: two families lost 50 and 70 goats. New arrivals look for cleaning work and live on shop credit, and one widow owes $330 to two shops ([Radio Ergo](https://radioergo.org/en/2026/08/impoverished-pastoralists-in-mudug-flee-to-resource-poor-camps-in-galkayo/)). Since solar streetlights came back, Galkayo traders work late in the shared Suuqa-Weyn market, and milk and clothes sellers earn more after dark ([SSF III](https://stabilityfund.so/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SSF-III_Lighting-up-Galkayo.pdf)).

## Who governs

North Galkayo, Galdogob and Jariiban are under Puntland. South Galkayo, Hobyo and Xarardheere are under Galmudug ([EUAA 2026](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/print/pdf/node/31721)). The city has two district councils and two police commands. Al-Shabaab holds Amara, Qey'ad and areas to the west, and blockaded Xarardheere town in August 2025.

**Working across the line:** from July 2025 a CARE-led group (SSF III) worked with neighbourhood committees on both sides to repair 429 streetlights and add 23 new solar ones ([SSF III](https://stabilityfund.so/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SSF-III_Lighting-up-Galkayo.pdf)).

## What people face now

- **4 to 5 August 2026:** heavy fighting in Galkayo between Puntland forces and federally backed forces. Families fled the front-line neighbourhoods ([AllAfrica](https://allafrica.com/stories/202608050448.html)).
- **August 2026:** Galkayo camps went weeks without water, children fell sick, and no aid came ([Radio Ergo](https://radioergo.org/en/2026/08/impoverished-pastoralists-in-mudug-flee-to-resource-poor-camps-in-galkayo/)).
- **2025:** 48 security incidents in Galkayo, the most in Mudug ([EUAA 2026](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/print/pdf/node/31721)).

## Top needs

1. Water and food in the Galkayo camps.
2. Safety information for civilians when fighting starts.
3. Income for former herders living on shop credit.
4. Health care for sick children.
5. Trust across the city line.

---
I want to help with this: email hello@calankii.com. Fix this page: email hello@calankii.com with the page link and your source.