Saturday, August 22, 2026

Somalia’s Child Hunger Crisis Worsens as Aid Cuts Close Health Facilities

August 22, 2026 0 Abu Ramadan

Somalia is facing a worsening child hunger crisis as severe drought and major reductions in international aid leave thousands of children without access to essential nutrition and healthcare services.

UNICEF said the number of children admitted for severe acute malnutrition and related complications increased by 32 percent during the first six months of 2026.

More than 200 health and nutrition facilities have already been forced to close because of funding cuts. UNICEF warned that as many as 618 health facilities could shut down nationwide under the most severe funding scenario.

Nearly 1.9 million children are expected to suffer from malnutrition in Somalia this year. UNICEF also warned that almost one million children under five, adolescent girls and women could lose access to vital nutrition services.

Somalia is currently suffering from a severe drought that has killed livestock, destroyed crops and deprived many families of their livelihoods. About 500,000 people were displaced by drought between January and April, adding to approximately 3.3 million Somalis already displaced.

Around one-third of Somalia’s population of 19 million is facing severe food shortages. Meanwhile, funding for programmes addressing acute malnutrition in parts of the country has fallen by more than 80 percent this year, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

UNICEF said aid cuts have made the drought's effects even worse, particularly by reducing access to clean water. Water prices in some rural and pastoral areas have reportedly quadrupled.

The humanitarian situation could deteriorate further as rising fuel and fertiliser costs increase pressure on food supplies. UNICEF also warned that a strong El Niño climate pattern could bring severe flooding and further deepen the crisis.

UNICEF spokesman James Elder urged the international community not to reduce assistance at a time when Somalia's humanitarian needs are increasing.