The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has expressed its gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a US$4.5 million contribution made through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief). The funding has enabled WFP to deliver vital nutrition assistance to more than 180,000 children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in Somalia, helping to prevent acute malnutrition in some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.
Somalia is currently facing a severe and rapidly worsening hunger crisis. Around 6.5 million people—approximately one-third of the population—are experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity, including 2 million people facing emergency levels of hunger. Projections also indicate that 1.84 million children could suffer from acute malnutrition in 2026, with over 483,000 expected to face severe acute malnutrition.
WFP highlighted that acute malnutrition rates have reached critical levels, with lifesaving nutrition services significantly reduced since early 2025. The organization noted that support from KSrelief has been essential in providing specialized nutritious food to children and mothers, helping to prevent deterioration in health conditions among high-risk groups.
The assistance has been directed to drought-affected regions, where it has helped protect the health of mothers and young children while strengthening links between preventive nutrition services and existing health programmes. This integrated approach has improved continuity of care and increased the overall effectiveness of humanitarian response efforts.
KSrelief has been a long-standing partner of WFP in Somalia, contributing US$8.7 million since 2022 to support emergency relief and nutrition interventions. The continued partnership underscores the importance of sustained international support in addressing Somalia’s escalating food security and malnutrition challenges.
