Somalia on the brink of mass food shortage

Events 26 Feb 2026, 12:04 310

A new report within the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) framework has confirmed fears of a sharp worsening of hunger and malnutrition in Somalia. Findings released on Tuesday indicate a drastic decline in food security, leading to nationwide water shortages, crop and livestock loss, and mass displacement.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) expressed concern last week that without new funding commitments, the delivery of life-saving emergency food aid to Somalia is at risk. By March, 6.5 million people in Somalia are expected to face hunger or other severe consequences—an increase of 1.7 million since January. Two million people are already experiencing starvation.

It is estimated that over 1.8 million children under the age of five in Somalia will suffer from acute malnutrition in 2026. Nearly half a million of them may face severe acute malnutrition. The WFP warned that without additional funding, vital food assistance to Somalia could cease within weeks, reported by news.un.org.

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