A new report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) highlights a sharp rise in hunger across Somalia following four consecutive seasons of failed rains and steep cuts in humanitarian funding. In January, an estimated 4.8 million people faced Crisis-level or worse acute food insecurity, with projections indicating that number could reach 6.5 million between February and March—nearly double the level recorded a year ago.
Nutrition levels are also deteriorating, with acute child malnutrition reaching critical thresholds in several regions. Over 1.8 million children aged 6–59 months are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition during 2026. Malnutrition often lags behind food insecurity, meaning these figures reflect prolonged and severe shortages that have already devastated families.
The Puntland, Somaliland, and central and southern regions of Somalia have experienced livestock deaths, crop failures, and soaring food prices, leaving families to sell remaining animals and skip meals. Conflict and insecurity further hinder the delivery of lifesaving aid, exacerbating the crisis.
For families like Xaawo Maxamed Jama’s in central Somalia, the drought has destroyed their main sources of food and income. Animals are weak or dying, water and pasture are scarce, and the risk of losing everything is real. CARE Somalia reports that children show visible signs of wasting, families are walking long distances for water, and women and girls face heightened risks of hunger, exploitation, and gender-based violence.
This crisis follows closely on the heels of the 2021–2023 drought, which already depleted livelihoods and savings. Communities refer to the current drought as Abaartii Oomaan or Biyo La’aan ba’an, indicating historic severity. Named droughts in Somali tradition signal the deep alarm felt by affected populations.
Humanitarian funding has declined sharply, forcing aid organizations to scale back food assistance, nutrition treatment, water services, and emergency health support. Reduced coverage leaves communities without the protective buffer needed to prevent emergency hunger from escalating into catastrophe. Without immediate restoration of funding during the critical Jilaal season, emergency food and nutrition conditions are expected to worsen.
CARE is urging donors to prioritize high-quality, flexible funding for local and women-led organizations, and to support unhindered humanitarian access. CARE and its partners, including WASDA Somalia, Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC), and Daryeel Bulsho Guud (DBG), continue to provide multisectoral assistance across ten regions, delivering water, hygiene support, healthcare, cash assistance, and protection services for survivors of violence.
Without urgent action, millions of Somalis—especially women and children—face deepening hunger, displacement, and insecurity in the months ahead.
