A new UN-backed report has warned that 6.5 million people in Somalia are expected to face acute hunger or worse by March, marking a sharp deterioration in food security across the country.
According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, the projected figure represents an increase of 1.7 million people compared with January. The report noted that about 2 million Somalis are already experiencing emergency levels of acute food insecurity.
The findings, cited by the United Nations media centre, also highlight the severe impact on children. More than 1.8 million children under the age of five are expected to suffer acute malnutrition in 2026, with nearly half a million likely to face severe acute malnutrition.
The warning comes after the World Food Programme cautioned that its life-saving food and nutrition assistance in Somalia could halt within weeks unless new funding is secured.
The IPC system — a globally standardised five-phase scale used by international agencies — is widely relied upon to assess the severity of hunger crises and guide humanitarian responses.
Analysts attribute Somalia’s worsening food and nutrition situation primarily to a nationwide drought emergency that has caused severe water shortages, major crop and livestock losses, and widespread displacement.
Humanitarian agencies warn that without urgent funding and sustained relief operations, conditions could deteriorate further in the coming months.
Follow the latest news on Google News
