UN warns Of Deteriorating Situation In Somalia

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher called for global attention to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia during his visit to Mogadishu. There, he visited a nutrition and health center where malnourished children from dozens of displacement sites receive life-saving treatment. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that more than 1.8 million children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition in Somalia.

Fletcher met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, where they discussed Somalia's vulnerability to recurring severe climate shocks and the strong partnership between the UN and the government. He noted that in addition to climate shocks, conflict, and protracted displacement, Somalia is facing economic pressures due to rising prices linked to the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Fuel prices have more than doubled, leading to increased transportation costs and higher prices for basic commodities.