Millions of Somalis are facing the threat of worsening hunger and malnutrition as the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warns of a critical funding crisis that is drastically limiting its ability to deliver life-saving emergency food assistance.
In a statement released on Thursday, the WFP revealed that it has been forced to slash the number of people receiving emergency aid in Somalia by over two-thirds—from 1.1 million people in August to just 350,000 in November. The reduction means that less than 1 in 10 of those in desperate need will receive food assistance.
“We are seeing a dangerous rise in emergency levels of hunger, and our ability to respond is shrinking by the day,” said Ross Smith, WFP’s Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “Without urgent funding, families already pushed to the edge will be left with nothing at a time when they need it most.”
Dire Hunger and Malnutrition Levels
According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, 4.4 million people in Somalia are now facing crisis-level food insecurity or worse (IPC Phase 3+), including nearly 1 million people in emergency conditions (IPC 4). Alarmingly, the number in emergency hunger has risen by 50 percent in just six months.
The situation is particularly dire for children. 1.8 million children under five are acutely malnourished, and 421,000 are suffering from severe malnutrition. Due to the funding shortfall, WFP’s nutrition programs have also been scaled back, with only 180,000 children currently receiving treatment.
A Perfect Storm of Crisis
Somalia’s food security crisis has been driven by a lethal mix of prolonged drought, ongoing conflict, and declining humanitarian aid. These factors have pushed already vulnerable families into deeper levels of hardship, with even minor shocks now capable of triggering devastating consequences.
“The current level of response is far below what is required to meet the growing needs,” Smith said.
WFP runs the largest humanitarian operation in Somalia, providing over 90 percent of the food security response in the country. However, deepening funding constraints have already forced the agency to halve its monthly support compared to a year ago.
Urgent Funding Needed
To maintain even minimum life-saving operations, WFP says it needs US$98 million to support 800,000 people through the lean season, which stretches until March 2026. Without immediate donor support, WFP warns that further reductions in aid are inevitable—even as the humanitarian crisis worsens.
“This lifeline is now at risk,” the WFP warned.
A Call to Action
As global attention shifts to new crises, humanitarian workers warn that Somalia must not be forgotten. The country’s hunger crisis is fast escalating toward catastrophe, and WFP says it is at a tipping point.
The agency is urging international donors to respond swiftly to prevent an avoidable humanitarian disaster in one of the world’s most fragile regions.
About WFP:
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working to build a pathway to peace, stability, and resilience for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and climate change.
