Funding allocated to address acute malnutrition in certain regions of Somalia has decreased by over 80% this year, as reported by Doctors Without Borders on Tuesday. Despite the fact that one out of every four children screened in displacement camps in the southwest of Somalia is severely malnourished, the United States has reduced its financial assistance to aid organizations in the country from $70 million last year to zero funding this year. This reduction, along with cuts from other Western donors, has left aid groups struggling to meet increasing needs.
Mitchell Sangma, a health advisor at Doctors Without Borders, highlighted the challenges faced by the organization, stating that they have seen a significant rise in nutrition cases this year, admitting 22,000 cases, an increase of over 80% compared to the previous year. This surge in demand for intervention measures has not been met with proportional donor support.
A recent survey conducted by MSF in Baidoa, southwest Somalia, revealed alarming statistics. One in four children in 888 households surveyed across 14 displacement sites was found to be severely malnourished. Additionally, a third of families reported surviving on only one meal per day, while a mere two percent could afford three meals.
The hunger crisis in Somalia has worsened due to consecutive failed rainy seasons, resulting in destroyed crops, loss of livestock, and depleted water sources. The situation has been exacerbated by conflict and insecurity, disrupting livelihoods and restricting access to food, healthcare, and aid.
In February, the Somali government and the United Nations estimated that around 6.5 million people in the country were facing acute hunger due to drought conditions. Doctors Without Borders disclosed that they have screened over 21,000 children under five years old in Baidoa since the beginning of the year, discovering acute malnutrition rates of approximately 50%. Acute malnutrition, although less severe than severe malnutrition, involves sudden weight loss and poses a life-threatening risk.
According to the United Nations, over half a million individuals were displaced in Somalia during the first quarter of 2026, primarily driven by drought. Women and children accounted for approximately 85% of the displaced population. The ongoing crisis has reignited concerns of a recurrence of the near-famine experienced in Somalia in 2022. However, aid agencies are facing significant funding shortages, hindering their response efforts.
Doctors Without Borders emphasized the limited financial resources available for Somalia, with only about $300 million from donors compared to the $2.2 billion provided during the 2022 drought crisis. Allara Ali, the project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in Somalia, stressed the urgency of taking action to prevent loss of life, stating that waiting for a famine declaration is not an option.