Somalia Malnutrition Crisis Worsens as Aid Funding Falls
The Somalia malnutrition crisis is worsening as funding for nutrition programs falls by more than 80% this year. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) says the sharp decline comes as more children face severe hunger in displacement camps across southwestern Somalia.
The aid group warned that one in four children screened at displacement sites in Baidoa was severely malnourished. Meanwhile, thousands of families are struggling to find enough food as drought, conflict and displacement continue to deepen the humanitarian crisis.
MSF said donor support has fallen sharply even as the number of children needing treatment continues to rise.
US Funding Cuts Add Pressure
MSF Health Adviser Mitchell Sangma said US support for aid agencies in Somalia fell from about $70 million last year to zero this year, according to the organization.
Other Western donors have also reduced their contributions.
At the same time, MSF has treated far more children for malnutrition. The organization said it admitted about 22,000 nutrition cases this year, more than 80% higher than last year.
Sangma warned that aid agencies need to expand their response, but shrinking donor support is making that increasingly difficult.
Children Face Severe Malnutrition
The situation in Baidoa shows the scale of the crisis.
An MSF survey of 888 households across 14 displacement sites found that one in four children suffered from severe malnutrition.
Food shortages have also affected families directly. Around one-third of households surveyed said they survived on just one meal a day.
Only about 2% of families said they could afford three meals each day.
These figures show how quickly food insecurity can affect children, particularly those living in crowded displacement camps.
Drought Drives Somalia’s Hunger Crisis
Repeated failed rainy seasons have severely damaged livelihoods across Somalia.
Farmers have lost crops, while livestock deaths have reduced food supplies and household income. Water sources have also become increasingly difficult to access.
Furthermore, conflict and insecurity have made the situation worse. Violence has disrupted livelihoods and made it harder for humanitarian organizations to reach vulnerable communities.
In February, the Somali government and the United Nations warned that around 6.5 million people faced acute hunger because of drought.
Malnutrition Rates Remain Extremely High
MSF has screened more than 21,000 children under five in Baidoa since the beginning of the year.
The organization found acute malnutrition rates of around 50% among the children screened.
Acute malnutrition can cause rapid weight loss and serious health complications. Severe cases can become fatal without timely treatment.
Therefore, humanitarian agencies say early intervention remains essential.
Waiting until conditions reach famine levels could cost many lives.
Somalia Faces Rising Displacement
The Somalia malnutrition crisis is also closely linked to displacement.
According to the United Nations, more than 500,000 people were displaced in Somalia during the first three months of 2026. Drought accounted for most of the displacement.
Women and children represented about 85% of those forced to leave their homes.
Many displaced families arrive at camps with few possessions and limited access to food, clean water and healthcare.
Children are especially vulnerable when families lose access to regular meals and medical services.
Aid Shortage Raises Famine Fears
Humanitarian organizations are increasingly concerned that Somalia could face conditions similar to the near-famine crisis of 2022.
However, the current response has far fewer resources.
MSF estimates that donors have provided about $300 million for Somalia this year. In 2022, donors provided roughly $2.2 billion during a similarly severe drought.
That huge difference has left aid organizations with fewer resources to respond to growing needs.
Consequently, medical teams face difficult choices about where to concentrate limited assistance.
Aid Agencies Warn Against Waiting
MSF says the international community must act before the situation reaches famine conditions.
Allara Ali, the organization’s project coordinator in Somalia, said waiting for an official famine declaration would be too late.
Aid groups want donors to increase funding for nutrition programs, healthcare, food assistance and water supplies.
They also say support must reach displaced communities before malnutrition becomes more severe.
Somalia Needs Urgent International Support
The Somalia malnutrition crisis has developed through several overlapping pressures.
Drought has destroyed livelihoods. Conflict has restricted access to food and healthcare. Displacement has pushed vulnerable families into overcrowded camps.
Now, a major reduction in international funding is adding another challenge.
Aid agencies say they need resources immediately to treat malnourished children and prevent more severe hunger.
Without additional funding, Somalia could face a much deeper humanitarian emergency in the months ahead.
For families already surviving on one meal a day, the consequences of delayed action could be devastating.
