Somalia’s Children Face Growing Hunger Crisis as Severe Malnutrition Cases Surge
As drought, food shortages and reduced humanitarian assistance continue to affect vulnerable communities in Somalia, thousands of children are at growing risk of hunger and malnutrition.
The number of children being treated for severe acute malnutrition with medical complications has almost tripled in six months, according to new data from Save the Children’s nutrition centre in Baidoa, south-central Somalia. In June 2026, the centre treated 400 children, while in January it treated 143 children.
The facility treated 1,405 children from January to June 2026, which is a considerable rise from 2025. Poor rainfall, livestock losses, lower harvests, high food prices and low household incomes are putting more children at risk, health workers warn.
The crisis has been exacerbated as Somalia is mindful of the devastating famine in 2011 that claimed the lives of over 250,000 people, including children below five years of age. Aid groups call for immediate action to avoid a repeat of the tragedy as they see the warning signs.
In addition to hunger, children are also at greater risk of contracting diseases like measles, cholera and acute watery diarrhoea that can worsen malnutrition.
Lifesaving services have been impacted by funding shortages, with over 300 nutrition facilities reportedly closed this year in Somalia, Save the Children said. The organisation stated that fewer families are receiving vital food, medical and child protection services due to the lack of support.
Access to treatment has meant the difference between continued illness and recovery for children such as two-year-old Ayan, who was severely malnourished when her family fled to safety from the drought. There is an urgent need to invest in nutrition, health, clean water and family support to safeguard children before the situation gets worse, health workers say.
Child protection organisations are urging for increased humanitarian response to save children’s lives, recover and grow in safe environments as the hunger crisis in Somalia worsens.
