The hunger crisis in Somalia has intensified, with millions of lives at risk due to worsening drought, ongoing conflict, and soaring food prices. The situation has worsened further because of significant cuts to U.S. aid, which have left many medical centers and relief programs struggling to provide life-saving assistance. Experts predict that 4.4 million people, or nearly a quarter of Somalia’s population, will face food insecurity this year. Among the most vulnerable are children under five, with an estimated 1.7 million expected to suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of 2025.
4.4 Million People at Risk as Hunger Deepens
Somalia is facing a humanitarian disaster of unprecedented proportions. The combined effects of drought, armed conflict, and soaring food prices have led to a deadly situation for millions. According to data from Somalia’s federal government and the United Nations, 4.4 million people, or 23% of the population, will be at risk of hunger this year.
Children under five are the most vulnerable group, with around 1.7 million expected to experience acute malnutrition by the end of 2025. The World Food Programme has described the situation as critical, warning that without immediate intervention, the country faces a catastrophic humanitarian disaster.
U.S. Aid Cuts Put Thousands of Lives in Danger
Aid from international organizations like Save the Children has been crucial for survival in Somalia. However, recent cuts to U.S. funding have forced some essential clinics to close, making it even more difficult for those in need to receive medical care. Save the Children’s deputy country director, Binyam Gebru, said the funding cuts have led to the layoff of around 150 staff members and the closure of multiple field offices.
A report from Stand Up For Aid, a grassroots advocacy group, revealed that the U.S. has slashed $170 million in aid to Somalia. This sharp reduction in funding has devastated relief efforts, making it harder to save lives.
Warning of a Crisis Similar to 1991 Famine
The situation has raised alarm among local leaders, with the Vice Minister for Humanitarian and Disaster Management in South West Somalia, Abdullahi Isak Ganay, warning that the country could face a crisis similar to the 1991 famine. That year, civil war, drought, and the collapse of the central government led to one of the deadliest humanitarian disasters in recent history, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 300,000 people, most of them children.
If aid cuts continue, Somalia could face a similar catastrophe, Ganay warned.
Al Shabaab’s Role in Escalating the Crisis
The rise of Al Shabaab, an extremist group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, has further destabilized Somalia. The group has recently gained ground in central Somalia, with reports suggesting they have seized a military base and the town of Wargaadhi. This advance threatens to cut off vital supply routes between Mogadishu, the capital, and other regions, further hindering the delivery of food and medical supplies.
“If Al Shabaab controls key routes, it will be more difficult for us to deliver supplies to those in need,” said Gebru.
The Impact on Baydhabo: From Fertile Fields to Refugee Camps
Baydhabo, once known as the City of Sorghum for its fertile fields, now faces a humanitarian crisis. Families have fled their homes due to drought and violence, and makeshift tents have replaced homes in the city.
Hodan Abdi Warsame, who now shelters in a refugee camp in Baidoa, shared her difficult journey. She fled Deygaab village after losing her husband and faced further hardships due to the ongoing conflict with Al Shabaab. “I had no choice but to flee due to hunger,” she said. “Now, I am here, alone, while my children are still in the village.”
Aid Agencies Adapt to Changing Circumstances
Aid organizations are now looking for alternative sources of support to fill the gap left by U.S. funding cuts. Save the Children is reaching out to new donors, including those in the Middle East and China, to diversify their funding sources.
“We’ve relied on a single source of funding for too long,” said Gebru. “Now, we are seeking other avenues to ensure aid continues to reach those who need it most.”
Medical professionals, like Said Abdi Hassan Abdi, a senior staff member with Save the Children, are working tirelessly despite the challenges. “We are doing everything we can to help, even when it means working without pay,” he said.
