Somalia: Malnutrition Crisis Looms for Half of Youngest Children

Somalia: Malnutrition Crisis Looms for Half of Youngest Children
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Nearly half of all children under five in Somalia face the risk of acute malnutrition by mid-2026, according to a report from Save the Children published on Reliefweb.int. This severe deterioration is driven by a convergence of climate shocks, conflict, and critical shortfalls in international aid.

The report, citing new data from the global hunger monitor, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), states that acute food insecurity levels have risen by 30% across Somalia. By the end of 2025, approximately 4.4 million people—nearly a quarter of the population—are expected to experience high levels of food insecurity.

Save the Children forecasts that the number of acutely malnourished children could reach 1.85 million by July 2026, an increase of 9% from previous estimates. This figure represents almost 48% of all children under five.

Binyam Gebru, Save the Children’s Acting Country Director for Somalia, warned that massive funding cuts are exacerbating the situation. The aid reduction has forced the closure of nutrition and health centers, leaving over 55,000 children without access to life-saving services since June. Save the Children is urgently calling on international donors to mobilize resources to restore and expand essential services before the crisis escalates further.