Mogadishu: The hunger crisis in Somalia is worsening, with millions of people, especially children, facing severe food shortages as drought, conflict and global disruptions affect aid delivery.
According to UNICEF, the situation has become more difficult due to rising global tensions, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran. These developments have pushed up fuel costs and disrupted supply routes, making it harder to transport food and medical supplies to those in need.
Children are the most affected. Aid workers say many severely malnourished children are too weak even to cry, showing how serious the situation has become. This year, about 1.84 million children under the age of five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition. Across the country, nearly 6.5 million people are struggling with hunger.
Years of poor rainfall have destroyed crops and livestock, forcing families to leave their homes in search of food and water. Many now live in crowded camps with very little to survive on. In some areas, families are reported to live on just tea for an entire day.
The crisis is also being made worse by a drop in international funding. Hundreds of health and nutrition centres have already closed, reducing access to treatment for malnourished children. Aid agencies warn that supplies used to treat severe malnutrition could run out within weeks if new support does not arrive.
At the same time, ongoing security challenges, including the activities of the militant group Al Shabab, continue to limit access to vulnerable areas, making relief work even more difficult.
Humanitarian organisations are now calling for urgent global support. They warn that without immediate action, the crisis in Somalia could worsen further, putting millions of lives at risk in the coming months.