Mogadishu: The ongoing war involving Iran is now having a serious impact far beyond the conflict zone, worsening the humanitarian crisis in Somalia where thousands of children are struggling with severe hunger.
Health centres across Somalia are facing growing shortages of life saving nutrition supplies used to treat children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Doctors and aid workers say stocks of therapeutic foods such as fortified milk and nutrient rich pastes are running dangerously low. As a result, some clinics have been forced to reduce rations, while others are turning away children due to lack of supplies.
Humanitarian organisations estimate that nearly 500000 children under the age of five in Somalia are currently affected by severe malnutrition. These children require urgent and continuous treatment, but delays in supply deliveries are making it harder for health workers to provide timely care.
The crisis has been made worse by disruptions in global shipping linked to the Iran war. Key trade routes have been affected, leading to longer delivery times for essential supplies. Shipments that previously arrived within weeks are now taking up to two months or more. The increase in transport costs has also placed additional strain on aid agencies already working with limited resources.
At the same time, funding cuts from major international donors have reduced the capacity of humanitarian operations in Somalia. More than 200 health facilities have reportedly closed, leaving many communities without access to basic nutrition and medical services. The United Nations has appealed for urgent funding to respond to the crisis, but only a small share of the required amount has been received so far.
Somalia has already been facing years of drought, conflict and economic hardship, which have pushed millions of people into hunger. Aid workers say the added pressure from global disruptions is worsening an already fragile situation and increasing the risk of a larger humanitarian emergency.
Doctors warn that children are the most vulnerable in this crisis. Without proper treatment, their condition can deteriorate quickly, and the risk of death rises significantly. Health workers report that more children are arriving at clinics in critical condition, showing the real impact of delays in food and medical support.
Humanitarian agencies are urging the international community to act quickly by restoring supply chains and increasing financial support. They warn that without immediate action, the number of children suffering from severe hunger in Somalia could rise sharply in the coming months, putting many more young lives at risk.