Somalia

Advice is not to travel to Somalia. Somalia has been subject to wars, famines and droughts. Poverty, violence and lawlessness still persists due to the warlords who are continually fighting one another. Regions have formed their own governments and are one step short of outright secession. Displaced persons and refugees stay around the borders hoping for salvation. Aid agencies usually go in and quickly withdraw as their staff are frequently attacked, killed or kidnapped. There are continuing clashes in Mogadishu between the warring tribes. The country cannot feed itself and there is persistent drought on the horn of Africa. The rule of law is still the gun. There are even pirates still operating around the coast of Somalia. Local militia groups, weapons (various), ballistics danger areas, mines, booby traps, vehicle security, vehicle convoys, personal security, ambushes, kidnappings, bandits / corruption, gunfire, legal / illegal checkpoints, armed robberies, general travel, navigation, off road driving, building / office security, hot weather injuries, personal hygiene, sanitation / sterilisation, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, helicopter safety, terrorism, cultures / customs, communications, emergency shelters. People with cameras must have a permit. Somalia is the world's fifth most dangerous place for women after Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan and India according to a poll of more than 200 aid professionals, academics, health workers, policymakers, journalists and development specialists conducted by TrustLaw, legal news service of the Thomson Reuters Foundation. One of the poorest, most violent and lawless countries, Somalia ranked fifth due to a catalogue of dangers including high maternal mortality, rape, female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. Some 95 per cent of females face FGM, mostly between the ages of 4 and 11. Only 9 per cent of women give birth at a health facility.

Use bottled water only.

Mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north.
Desert wilderness littered with destroyed towns and villages.

Principally desert; December to February - north-east monsoon, moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; May to October - south-west monsoon, torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons.

Recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season.