Somalia

Recommended Vaccinations For Somalia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Polio Vaccine

Travellers who intend to visit this country for 4 weeks or more may be required to show proof of polio vaccination taken 4 weeks to 12 months prior to arrival in the country. Failure to produce this documentation may result in vaccination at the entry ports. Childhood vaccinations, including polio, should be up-to-date prior to travel.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

**Vaccination is generally not recommended for travel to the following regions: Bakool, Banaadir, Bay, Gado, Galgadud, Hiran, Lower Juba, Middle Juba, Lower Shabelle and Middle Shabelle. Vaccination may be considered for a small subset of travellers (aged 9 months to less than 60 years of age) to some areas who are at increased risk because of prolonged travel or heavy exposure to mosquito bites. Vaccination is not recommended for all other areas not listed above.**

Recommended Medications For Somalia

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Chloroquine resistance is widespread. The recommended anti-malaria medication is mefloquine, doxycycline or atovaquone/proguanil.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Somalia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure through contaminated food or water in Somalia.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever may occur in this country.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Somalia. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Somalia.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

For Some Travellers

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in this country.

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Yellow Fever

There is a low risk of yellow fever transmission in some areas of Somalia.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is found in this country. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country. Ticks that cause this disease are usually most active from November through April. Travellers engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and game hunting in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas may be at a higher risk.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis occurs in this country. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Polio

Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was detected in this country, with the potential risk of global circulation. Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated travellers are at a higher risk if they come in direct contact with an infected person or through contaminated food and water, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas with poor hygiene standards.

Malaria

There is a high risk of malaria in Somalia.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Somalia, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Somalia. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Rabies

Rabies has been reported in domestic and wild animals in Somalia. Bats may carry rabies-like viruses. Rabies transmission may occur following contact with the saliva of an infected domestic animal or bat (via bites or scratches or saliva contact with mucous membranes). Bites from bats are frequently unrecognised. The risk of exposure is increased by the type of activity (e.g. running, cycling), occupation (e.g. veterinarians) and for those staying in this country for long periods.

Safety & Security in Somalia

Personal Safety

Somalia remains one of the most dangerous countries for business travelers and visitors. Violent crime including kidnapping and murder is common throughout the country. Between April 2023 and July 2025, researchers recorded 7,269 security incidents across Somalia, with the highest concentrations in Lower Shabelle, Benadir, and Bay regions. Kidnapping risk is very high across all areas, including Somaliland and Puntland. Foreign nationals are seen as legitimate targets by both terrorist groups and criminal organizations. Al-Shabaab militants control checkpoints, enforce taxation systems, and maintain parallel governance structures across large swaths of territory. The group has between 7,000 and 12,000 members and continues launching attacks despite ongoing government offensives. Illegal roadblocks operated by various armed groups are widespread and expose travelers to looting, extortion, harassment, and violence. Medical facilities have extremely limited capacity and are often absent in rural areas. The healthcare system lacks sufficient pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and professionals. Anyone requiring medical treatment will need evacuation out of the country, which is expensive and difficult to arrange. Consular assistance from foreign governments is severely limited or unavailable.

Extreme Violence

Al-Shabaab remains the primary threat for extreme violence in Somalia. The terrorist group launched attacks using improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings, shelling, and targeted assassinations that resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths and injuries in 2024. On August 2, 2024, the group attacked Lido Beach in Mogadishu, killing more than 50 civilians and injuring over 200. In March 2025, al-Shabaab attempted to assassinate the president with a roadside bombing that killed 16 people. In April 2025, multiple rocket attacks targeted Mogadishu International Airport. The group frequently deploys vehicle-borne IEDs against government forces and civilian targets. Attack methods include car bombs, suicide bombers, individual attackers, and rocket fire. Violence and explosive attacks can happen anywhere in Somalia at any time without warning. Islamic State-Somalia has expanded its presence in Puntland, with the group doubling in size to between 600 and 700 fighters due to an influx of foreign fighters. The organization has demonstrated its global reach and poses a growing threat. Clan conflicts also contribute to extreme violence, resulting in over 1,200 deaths between April 2023 and March 2025, particularly in Gedo, Bay, and Mudug regions. Al-Shabaab uses execution as punishment in areas under its control, often after unfair trials. Both al-Shabaab and government forces have committed sexual violence against women and girls.

Political Unrest

Political tensions in Somalia remain high and fragmented. Relations between the federal government and member states are strained, with significant disputes over constitutional review processes, electoral systems, and resource distribution. Protests and demonstrations occur throughout Somalia and can turn violent with little warning. In June 2023, clashes between security forces and armed opposition groups in Puntland’s capital Garowe killed at least 26 people following disputes over voting system changes. Tensions between the federal government and Jubaland escalated in late 2024, resulting in armed confrontations between federal and regional forces. In February 2023, fighting broke out between Somaliland security forces and Dhulbahante clan-affiliated troops, displacing over 150,000 people. The conflict stems from disputes over the Las Anod region. Political violence can erupt in public places where people gather. Elections scheduled for 2026 have already sparked political arguments and tensions between the government and opposition groups. The security situation remains fluid with displacement continuing into 2025, exacerbated by political fragmentation, armed group offensives, and climate-related shocks. Ethiopia-Somalia tensions escalated following a memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland, though mediation efforts in December 2024 resulted in the Ankara Declaration aimed at reducing these tensions.

Areas To Avoid

The highest risk areas include Lower Shabelle, Benadir, and Bay regions, which recorded the most security incidents between April 2023 and July 2025. South-central Somalia experiences the most intense terrorist activity and al-Shabaab maintains firm control over rural areas in the southern half of the country. Mogadishu, despite being the capital, faces frequent attacks including IED explosions, suicide bombings, and rocket attacks. Recent attacks targeted Lido Beach, the Cairo Hotel in Beledweyne, and Top Coffee Restaurant. The Middle Shabelle region has seen a significant increase in conflict between al-Shabaab and Somali security forces. Border regions with Kenya and Ethiopia carry high risks including kidnapping and cross-border militant activity. The land border with Kenya remains closed. Gedo region experiences ongoing clan conflicts and tensions between federal and regional forces. Puntland’s Bari region is particularly dangerous due to Islamic State-Somalia’s expanded presence and activities. The Sanaag and Sool regions along the Somaliland-Puntland border experience inter-clan conflicts. Refugee camps and displacement sites are overpopulated and face food and health insecurity leading to increased crime. Areas under al-Shabaab control impose strict sharia law and enforce harsh punishments. Mogadishu International Airport complex remains a target for mortar, rocket, and small arms attacks. Coastal waters and the Gulf of Aden pose risks from piracy, with pirates attacking vessels up to 1,000 nautical miles from shore.