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Severe Malnutrition Affects Thousands as Funding Cuts and Climate Disasters Worsen the Situation
Nearly half a million children in Somalia are facing severe hunger and malnutrition, with many at risk of dying without immediate help, according to a warning from an NGO on Monday. The situation comes at a time when international aid is being reduced in the country.
Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, has faced many challenges for years. It is one of the poorest countries in the world and has been struggling due to decades of civil war, climate-related disasters, and a violent insurgency from the extremist group Al-Shabaab, which is linked to Al-Qaeda.
The country has only recently started to recover from a long-lasting drought, but in 2023, severe flooding forced almost one million people to flee their homes, making the situation even worse. CARE International, a humanitarian organization, has reported that the number of children under five who are severely malnourished has increased to 1.8 million, based on projections from a UN-supported monitoring body.
Out of this, it is predicted that 479,000 children will be at serious risk of death unless they receive urgent aid. This means they are so malnourished that they could die without quick intervention. The situation is getting worse faster than expected due to seasonal challenges and the impact of the drought in 2024.
In the most affected areas of Somalia, the number of people living in “emergency conditions” has increased by 50 percent. Ummy Dubow, the country director for CARE Somalia, said that women and children are suffering the most. She described heartbreaking situations, such as pregnant women sacrificing their nutrition, mothers watching their children slowly die from malnutrition, and young girls being taken out of school to help their families survive.
The crisis is being made worse by cuts in funding for aid organizations. These groups are being forced to reduce their operations, and the United Nations’ aid plan for Somalia in 2025 is only 11 percent funded. This means that many essential resources and services are being reduced at a time when they are needed more than ever.
CARE Somalia has warned that the country’s already struggling healthcare and support systems will not be able to cope with the growing number of people in need. If this continues, lives will be lost. The lack of resources and funding is preventing aid from reaching those who need it the most, making the situation even more urgent.
In summary, Somalia is facing a terrible humanitarian crisis. Thousands of children are suffering from severe malnutrition, and without urgent help, many could die. At the same time, international aid is being reduced, making it harder for organizations to provide the necessary support. The country needs more resources and funding to address this growing crisis and prevent further loss of life.