Somali officials have been sounding the alarm for months about an impending famine in the south-western region of the nation are facing, and it appears the crisis is in full effect. For the last four years, there has been rumblings and now all out alarm about the projected famine and drought that will result in catastrophic harm to the people and the region.
According to a variety of sources, approximately 5.4 million people in Somalia are projected to face crisis-level hunger or death in 2026, with tens of thousands facing catastrophic conditions in regions like Baidoa.
According to the U.N. News, nearly 6 million people (roughly one in three Somalis) lack adequate food, including over 2 million children under the age of 5 who require acute malnutrition treatment.
International humanitarian funding (including major reductions from donors like the U.S. and the UK) has plummeted by up to 88% compared to previous years. This forced over 200 health and nutrition facilities to close or scale back to “hyper prioritization,” leaving fewer than 2% of those in need expected to receive proper food aid
Key drivers of the drought and famine include severe and repeated climate shocks, including extreme drought and El Niño-induced flooding, combined with soaring fuel and food prices, global supply chain disruptions, and major reductions in international humanitarian funding. Heavy rainfall has resulted in flooding in parts of Mogadishu, and the IRC-supported Ariif Health Center has already been affected. A super El Niño is expected to impact Somalia, with forecasters now putting the chance of above-normal rainfall at more than 90%. The last time these conditions came together, in 2023, floods displaced 1.2 million people.
Hundreds have fled to neighboring countries, but the refugees can’t escape the danger since the region is also affected. Coupled with the U.N.’s decision to conclude its major political mission in Somalia (October 31, 2026), the crisis has intensified.
To help Somalis, please visit the International Rescue Committee.
This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor of The Burton Wire. Follow her on Instagram @Ntellectual or @TheBurtonWire.
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