FAO Yemen; Socotra’s pastoral livelihoods under growing threat as climate shocks deepen food insecurity

Socotra Island, Yemen – 11 February 2026 

Socotra, Yemen’s unique archipelago known worldwide for its extraordinary biodiversity and pristine landscapes, is facing an escalating climate crisis that is threatening livestock, pastoralist livelihoods and food security across the island.

A recent assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) found that two consecutive years of drought have placed livestock and natural pastures under severe stress. According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, as grazing areas continue to deteriorate, the number of people experiencing food insecurity has increased over the past year. 

Socotra, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot and growing tourist destination, has remained largely insulated from the armed conflict affecting mainland Yemen, and has seen a steady increase in tourism over recent years. However, its fragile ecosystems and high dependence on rain-fed pastures make it extremely vulnerable to climate variability and environmental shocks. Without adequate rainfall, pastoral communities are facing mounting pressure on their primary sources of food and income; pastures have withered, and water sources have dwindled, leaving pastoralist communities with few options to sustain their herds.

Since 2023, the island has experienced an unprecedented drought, with little to no rainfall or flooding. Vast grazing lands have turned into barren terrain, forcing herders to abandon dozens of villages in search of water and pasture. In many cases, families travel long distances daily just to keep their animals alive, intensifying migration pressures and worsening food insecurity.

Even communities equipped with water harvesting tanks report near-total depletion, as limited storage capacities are unable to withstand prolonged dry spells. Technical experts emphasize the urgent need to scale up water harvesting infrastructure and pasture rehabilitation to stabilize pastoral livelihoods.

FAO Yemen is responding through its ongoing Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project on Socotra, which supports climate adaptation and sustainable natural resource management. The project is implementing integrated interventions, including the rehabilitation of degraded pastures, expansion of water harvesting infrastructure, and promotion of improved livestock management practices to strengthen resilience among pastoral households.

Ebrahim AlQadasi, FAO Senior Water Resources Engineer, who recently completed a mission to the island, warned:

“Water resource management on Socotra is facing very big challenges and needs critical improvement interventions in all aspects to adapt to climate change.”

Local livestock farmer Hasan Lam Amer described the daily struggle:

“Due to the severe drought, we are forced to move with our livestock for 20 kilometers each day just to find green areas for grazing and water to drink.”

FAO calls on development partners, donors and the international community to scale up investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable land management and pastoral livelihood support in Socotra. Timely and coordinated action is essential to protect food security, reduce displacement risks, and preserve the island’s unique, yet fragile ecosystems.

Before the drought 

After the drought