MOGADISHU, (HAN) – Almost half of Somali children under the age of five are projected to suffer from life-threatening malnutrition by mid-2026, as dwindling humanitarian funding deepens the country’s food crisis, according to a new report by Save the Children.
Findings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reveal that hunger in Somalia has surged by 30% in 2025, with the southern regions worst affected. By the end of the year, an estimated 4.4 million people—around a quarter of Somalia’s population—are expected to face high levels of food insecurity.
Currently, more than 921,000 people are experiencing emergency levels of hunger (IPC Phase 4), a condition requiring urgent intervention to prevent mass loss of life and livelihoods.
The report warns that 1.85 million Somali children under the age of five could suffer from severe acute malnutrition by July 2026—representing a 9% increase compared to earlier projections. This would mean that nearly 48% of all Somali children under five will be malnourished, making it one of the most severe child nutrition crises in recent years.
Save the Children highlights that cuts in international funding have already forced the closure of numerous health and nutrition centers. Since June, the organization has shut down more than a quarter of its supported facilities, leaving an estimated 55,000 children without life-saving assistance.
The funding shortfall has also impacted vaccination campaigns, triggering new outbreaks of deadly diseases, including a spike in diphtheria cases.
“Somalia is trapped in a prolonged crisis that is slowly eroding families’ resilience and children’s health,” said Binyam Gebru, Acting Country Director for Save the Children Somalia. “Severe hunger has been present for years, but the situation has worsened dramatically this year because of aid cuts. We are seeing children arrive at our health centers in extremely critical condition, while many other facilities that once provided essential care have now closed.”
Save the Children is urging the international community and donors to urgently restore and expand support for nutrition, healthcare, and clean water programs in Somalia. Without swift action, the organization warns, the lives of hundreds of thousands of Somali children could be lost.
The appeal comes as Somali officials continue to press the alarm at international forums, including the United Nations Security Council, where the government has called for stronger global solidarity to avert a looming humanitarian catastrophe.
