The United Nations has issued a stark warning following a dramatic decline in international aid for Somalia, prompting fears of a deepening humanitarian crisis and a potential surge in child hunger. UNICEF estimates that nearly 1.9 million children are projected to be malnourished this year, a figure that represents a significant increase from just six months ago, when the organization reported 1.9 million children were admitted to facilities with severe acute malnutrition and complications. The situation in Somalia, already grappling with a severe drought that has decimated livestock, destroyed harvests, and disrupted livelihoods, is now being exacerbated by a drastic reduction in vital aid. The East African country is experiencing a 32 percent jump in the number of children admitted to facilities with severe acute malnutrition and complications in the first six months of 2026, according to a report released by UNICEF on Friday. This alarming trend is a direct consequence of the ongoing cuts to international aid, which have effectively closed numerous health and nutrition facilities nationwide. Nearly 618 health facilities could close nationwide under ‘severe funding scenarios,’ according to Elder, the spokesman for UNICEF. This represents a major setback for the country’s ability to respond to the escalating crisis. The drought, which has been ongoing for nearly a year, has already killed livestock, ruined harvests, and left millions of Somalis displaced, adding to an already precarious situation. Somalia faces a severe drought that has resulted in approximately 500,000 people fleeing their homes between January and April, significantly increasing the number of Somalis already uprooted. The population of Somalia is estimated to be 19 million people, representing a significant portion of the nation’s population. Yet, funding for addressing acute malnutrition in parts of Somalia has dropped by more than 80 percent this year, a concerning decline that has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the cuts to aid and the escalating impact of the drought. The United States and several Western countries have also suspended their support for the $2 billion global humanitarian aid pledge announced by the US for this year, citing allegations of aid diversion and corruption. Somalia was also excluded from the $2 billion aid pledge due to concerns over aid diversion and corruption. The cuts have compounded the effects of the current drought, which is limiting access to water even as prices in rural and pastoral areas have quadrupled. UNICEF reports that fuel and fertilizer costs have risen due to the US-Israel war on Iran, while a record-strength El Niño climate pattern is forecast to worsen the humanitarian situation with severe flooding, Elder explained. Nearly a million children below five, adolescent girls and women face a heightened risk of losing access to nutrition services. The situation in Somalia is particularly dire for vulnerable populations, including those at risk of losing access to essential healthcare, education, and protection. The international community is urgently calling for a reversal of these cuts and a renewed commitment to supporting Somalia’s response to the crisis.”
Source: Al Jazeera Africa
