MOGADISHU, Somalia — More than 6 million people in Somalia are facing severe hunger as drought, conflict, displacement and shrinking humanitarian aid combine to deepen the crisis, according to UN-backed assessments. The latest IPC food security analysis projects that 6.5 million people will face crisis-level hunger or worse in early 2026, including more than 2 million in emergency conditions, one step short of famine.
The situation has worsened after consecutive poor rainy seasons damaged crops, depleted water sources and killed livestock across large parts of the country. Farming and pastoral communities have been hit hardest, while internally displaced people remain among the most vulnerable as food prices rise and livelihoods collapse. Analysts say the deterioration is driven by drought, insecurity and a decline in humanitarian assistance, which was down 27 percent year-on-year in January 2026.
Children are among the worst affected. UN agencies and Somali authorities say more than 1.8 million children under five are expected to suffer acute malnutrition this year, including nearly half a million who could be severely malnourished, raising the risk of a wider public health emergency.
The impact is visible in areas such as Kismayo and other drought-affected regions, where livestock deaths and displacement are increasing. Reports from southern Somalia describe widespread losses of cattle following failed rains, depriving families of key sources of food and income.
Aid groups warn that response efforts are being constrained by a severe funding shortfall. The World Food Programme said in February that its emergency operations in Somalia risked being suspended without urgent funding. At the time, 4.4 million people were already facing severe hunger, with concerns growing over a repeat of the near-famine seen in 2022.
UN officials have also raised concerns about the pace of the crisis. The UN humanitarian coordinator for Somalia said worsening drought, rising water costs, limited food supplies and livestock losses are being compounded by reduced aid funding. Somali disaster management authorities have similarly warned that millions are already in crisis, with child malnutrition reaching alarming levels.
Even if seasonal rains improve, the outlook remains uncertain. The IPC estimates that 5.5 million people could still face severe hunger between April and June, highlighting the need for urgent support to prevent further deterioration.
