Funding 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 one in every four children screened in displacement camps in the southwest of the country being severely malnourished, support from the United States and other Western donors has significantly reduced. Mitchell Sangma, a health adviser at Doctors Without Borders, highlighted the challenges faced by aid organizations due to the decline in funding, with an increase of more than 80% in nutrition cases compared to last year.
A recent survey conducted by MSF in 14 displacement sites in Baidoa, southwest Somalia, revealed alarming statistics. One-fourth of children were found to be severely malnourished, while one-third of families reported surviving on just one meal per day. Only a small fraction, two percent, could afford three meals daily. The dire situation in Somalia is exacerbated by failed rainy seasons, leading to crop failures, livestock losses, and water scarcity. Ongoing conflict and insecurity further worsen the crisis, hindering access to essential resources like food, healthcare, and aid.
In response to the escalating hunger crisis, Doctors Without Borders has screened over 21,000 children under five in Baidoa this year, identifying acute malnutrition rates at around 50%. While not as severe as severe malnutrition, acute malnutrition still poses life-threatening risks due to sudden weight loss.
The United Nations reported that over half a million people were displaced in Somalia in the first quarter of 2026, primarily driven by drought, with women and children constituting the majority of those displaced. The current situation echoes fears of a recurrence of the near-famine experienced in 2022, with aid agencies struggling due to significant funding shortfalls.
Doctors Without Borders emphasized the urgent need for action, noting that only $300 million is available for Somalia from donors, significantly less than the $2.2 billion provided during the 2022 drought crisis. Allara Ali, the project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in Somalia, stressed the importance of proactive measures to prevent loss of life, stating that waiting for a famine declaration is not an option.