Since 2015, drought conditions in Somalia have worsened, contributing to increased population displacements and conflict. In response to the ever-worsening drought, the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) humanitarian system-wide scale up protocols were activated on 11 August 2022 for six months to urgently support humanitarian interventions in the country.

On 17 August 2022, an ETC Coordinator deployed to Somalia for one month to assess the ICT requirements of scale-up activities. On 18 September 2022, the ETC was activated to enhance and expand common ICT services for the humanitarian community. An operational plan was developed and collaboration with key local stakeholders initiated.

On 30 October 2022, the ETC suspended implementation of its planned services and engagement with partners due to a lack of funding. The ETC required US$750,000 to initiate its activities to support enhanced security communications and data connectivity services. Following protracted funding challenges, the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) decided to deactivate the cluster on 26 March 2023. ETC activities in Somalia were demobilized by 31 May 2023.

WFP―as local lead of the ETC in Somalia―will continue to engage in inter-agency ICT efforts and lead the ICT Working Group.