Somalia faces a worsening humanitarian crisis as drought, conflict, and soaring food prices push millions toward extreme hunger. UN agencies warn that nearly 4.4 million people may experience severe food insecurity by mid-2025. Children and displaced persons are particularly affected. Urgent action and funding are needed to alleviate the crisis and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
Somalia is experiencing a deepening humanitarian crisis prompted by drought, conflict, and soaring food prices, according to UN agencies. Recent assessments reveal that 4.4 million people, nearly 25% of the population, might encounter severe hunger levels (IPC Phase 3 or higher) from April to June 2025, a significant rise from the current 3.4 million facing acute hunger.
Etienne Peterschmitt, head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Somalia, remarked that worsening drought and ongoing conflict are severely damaging livelihoods and deepening the crisis for families. The most affected groups include internally displaced persons (IDPs), pastoralists who lack livestock, and farming households that have consumed their food supplies.
The country has been hit by consecutive climate shocks, notably a lack of rainfall in late 2024, diminishing crop yields and water supplies, and leading to livestock losses. Erratic weather patterns and flooding in key agricultural regions have further impaired crop production, resulting in elevated food prices and exacerbating existing food insecurity.
The global food security tracker, IPC, estimates that by 2025, 1.7 million children under five may suffer from acute malnutrition, with 466,000 at risk of severe malnutrition—an increase of 9% compared to the previous year. Most of these cases are prevalent in southern Somalia, where food insecurity is at its worst.
Nisar Syed, Officer-in-Charge for UNICEF in Somalia, noted that children endure the brunt of climatic shifts, facing malnutrition and illness, which raises their mortality risk and may lead to long-term developmental challenges. He stressed the urgent necessity for enhanced prevention measures that combine immediate humanitarian aid with long-term resilience and health investments.
The food crisis in Somalia arises from various factors, including below-average rainfall during the 2024 Deyr season and adverse forecasts for the upcoming Gu season, likely resulting in further crop failures. Continuous conflict is displacing families and undermining livelihoods, with violence disrupting access to markets and essential services.
Crispen Rukasha, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Somalia, highlighted how ongoing climate shocks, conflict, and poverty are intensifying the humanitarian crisis. He underscored the dire need for aid agencies to receive sufficient funding to address the escalating needs of affected populations.
The agencies warn that without immediate intervention, the situation could reach catastrophic proportions. While efforts to enhance food assistance, nutrition, and support for livelihoods are ongoing, potential funding shortages could limit or halt essential programs at a critical juncture.
The 2025 Somalia Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan requires $1.42 billion, with only 12.4% currently funded. El-Khidir Daloum, UN World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director in Somalia, remarked that large-scale humanitarian support previously averted famine in 2022, which is again crucial to provide immediate aid and develop longer-term solutions, yet funding deficits are compelling organizations to prioritize limited resources at a critical moment.
The humanitarian crisis in Somalia is escalating due to a combination of severe drought, ongoing conflict, and rising food prices, with nearly 4.4 million people facing extreme hunger by mid-2025. The situation is particularly dire for children and internally displaced persons. Without timely intervention and adequate funding, the crisis may worsen, threatening countless lives and exacerbating existing challenges. Urgent international support is essential to avoid catastrophic outcomes and address both immediate and long-term needs.
Original Source: news.un.org
