Funding allocated to address acute malnutrition in certain regions of Somalia has plummeted by over 80% this year, as reported by Doctors Without Borders on Tuesday. Despite one in four children screened in displacement camps in the southwest of the country being severely malnourished, financial support has dwindled significantly. Mitchell Sangma, a health consultant with Doctors Without Borders, highlighted that the United States has slashed its aid to organizations in Somalia from $70 million last year to zero funding this year, leading to challenges for aid groups as demands increase. Other Western donors have also reduced their contributions.
Notably, a survey conducted by MSF in July across 888 households in 14 displacement sites in Baidoa, southwest Somalia, revealed alarming statistics. One in every four children was found to be severely malnourished, with a third of families surviving on just one meal per day, while merely two percent could afford three meals. Somalia is grappling with a deepening hunger crisis following multiple failed rainy seasons that have ravaged crops, decimated livestock, and depleted water resources. The situation has been exacerbated by conflict and insecurity, disrupting livelihoods and hindering access to essential resources like food, healthcare, and aid.
In February, the Somali government and the United Nations jointly reported that approximately 6.5 million people in the country were facing acute hunger due to drought. Doctors Without Borders disclosed that they have screened over 21,000 children under five in Baidoa since the beginning of the year, uncovering acute malnutrition rates of around 50%. Although acute malnutrition is less severe than severe malnutrition, it still involves sudden weight loss and poses life-threatening risks.
According to the United Nations, over half a million individuals were displaced in Somalia in the initial three months of 2026, with drought being the primary driver of this displacement. Women and children accounted for roughly 85% of the displaced population. The unfolding crisis has reignited concerns of a recurrence of the near-famine experienced in Somalia in 2022. However, aid agencies are struggling to mount an effective response due to significant funding shortfalls.
Doctors Without Borders emphasized that only about $300 million is currently available for Somalia from donors, a stark contrast to the $2.2 billion provided in 2022 during a similar drought crisis. Allara Ali, the project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in Somalia, underscored the urgency of the situation, stating that action must be taken promptly to avert loss of lives as waiting for a famine declaration is not an option.