Facebook Twitter Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Somalia is on the brink of a severe hunger crisis, with the World Food Programme (WFP) warning that an additional one million people could face crisis levels of hunger in the coming months. The dire forecast is attributed to an anticipated drought during the next crop cycle and significant funding cuts, exacerbating an already critical situation in the Horn of Africa.
The WFP’s Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Service director, Jean-Martin Bauer, highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that the number of people facing acute food insecurity in Somalia could rise from 3.4 million to 4.4 million in the near future. This increase would place millions of Somalis at risk of crisis-level hunger, with children being the most vulnerable. The WFP estimates that 1.7 million children under the age of five will face acute malnutrition by December 2025, with 466,000 of them experiencing severe acute malnutrition.
The forecasted drought, expected between April and June 2025, follows two consecutive failed rainy seasons, creating conditions ripe for a humanitarian disaster. The Horn of Africa has already experienced its driest conditions in over four decades, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of people in 2022. The WFP’s warning underscores the urgent need for immediate action to prevent further suffering and loss of life.
Compounding the crisis are funding cuts that have forced the WFP to scale back its assistance programs. Currently, the WFP is providing aid to 820,000 people in Somalia, a significant reduction from the 2.2 million people it assisted during the peak period in 2022. Bauer emphasized that the situation could deteriorate further if additional funding is not secured. “The weather forecast, funding cuts, and high food prices, combined with ongoing conflict, could make the situation even worse,” he said.
The impact of the hunger crisis is felt most acutely by children, who are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition. The WFP’s projections indicate that 1.7 million children under five will face acute malnutrition, with nearly half a million at risk of severe acute malnutrition. The consequences of malnutrition are devastating, leading to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and increased mortality rates among young children.
The WFP’s efforts to address the crisis include providing emergency food and nutrition assistance, supporting smallholder farmers, and strengthening national food systems. However, the organization faces significant challenges due to funding shortfalls and the complex security situation in Somalia. The WFP has called on the international community to step up its support to prevent a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe.
The Somali government, in collaboration with international partners, is working to mitigate the impact of the drought and improve food security. Initiatives such as the Baxnaano safety net program provide cash transfers to vulnerable families, helping them access basic necessities and build resilience against future shocks. Additionally, efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture and strengthen local food systems are crucial for long-term food security.
Despite these efforts, the scale of the crisis requires a coordinated and sustained response from the global community. The WFP’s warning serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for increased funding and support to address the root causes of food insecurity in Somalia. Without immediate action, millions of Somalis will continue to suffer, and the country will remain on the brink of famine.
As the world grapples with multiple crises, the plight of the Somali people must not be forgotten. The international community has a moral obligation to support Somalia in its time of need and work towards a future where no one goes hungry. The WFP’s call to action is a plea for solidarity and compassion in the face of immense human suffering.