Nearly 6.5 million people in Somalia are facing severe hunger as worsening drought, conflict, and global aid cuts intensify the country’s humanitarian crisis, the Somali federal government and United Nations agencies said Tuesday.
New data from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report shows that 6.5 million people are projected to face crisis or worse levels of food insecurity by the end of March.
The crisis is particularly severe for Somalia’s youngest and most vulnerable. The report estimates that 1.84 million children under the age of 5 are expected to suffer acute malnutrition in 2026, including nearly 500,000 who will face severe malnutrition. Even if upcoming rains arrive at average levels, 5.5 million people are expected to remain in crisis or worse later in 2026.
The Crisis Deepens
Water shortages are intensifying in southern and central Somalia. The drought, linked to lower-than-average rainfall, has triggered widespread crop failures, livestock losses, food price increases and displacement. Between July and December, drought and conflict displaced about 278,000 people, disrupting agricultural production, market access and aid delivery, according to U.N. estimates.
Officials Sound Urgent Alarm
“The drought emergency in Somalia has deepened alarmingly, with soaring water prices, limited food supplies, dying livestock and very little humanitarian funding,” said George Conway, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Somalia.
Conway said that urgent lifesaving assistance is essential in the coming months, with no rainfall expected until the main rainy season, which runs from April to June. Water shortages are not expected to substantially improve even if upcoming rains are average.
“The severity of this drought is undeniable and deeply alarming,” said Mohamud Moallim Abdulle, commissioner of the Somalia Disaster Management Agency. He called on international partners, the Somali diaspora, businesses and civil society to scale up immediate support.
Funding Cuts Compound the Crisis
Officials said the food security situation is deteriorating because of water shortages, insecurity, conflict and historically low levels of humanitarian assistance. The United Nations and the Somali government warned that substantial funding cuts have forced humanitarian partners to decrease or suspend critical lifesaving programs, including food security, health, nutrition and water and sanitation projects.
Even if the country receives adequate rainfall in the months ahead, recovery from the extreme drought will take considerable time.