Funding aimed at addressing acute malnutrition in certain parts of Somalia has decreased by over 80% this year, as reported by Doctors Without Borders on Tuesday. Despite one in four children screened in displacement camps in the southwest region being severely malnourished, aid organizations are facing significant funding cuts. Mitchell Sangma, a health adviser at Doctors Without Borders, highlighted the reduction in support from the United States, dropping from $70 million last year to zero funding this year, along with other Western donors also scaling back their contributions.

Sangma emphasized the urgent need for increased intervention measures as the organization has admitted 22,000 nutrition cases this year, marking an increase of over 80% compared to the previous year. A recent survey conducted by MSF in Baidoa, southwest Somalia, revealed alarming statistics, with one in four children identified as severely malnourished, and one-third of families surviving on only one meal per day, while just two percent can afford three meals.

The deteriorating hunger crisis in Somalia is exacerbated by failed rainy seasons, resulting in damaged crops, loss of livestock, and depleted water sources. Ongoing conflict and insecurity further worsen the situation, disrupting livelihoods and hindering access to essential resources such as food, healthcare, and aid. In February, the Somali government and the United Nations estimated that approximately 6.5 million people in the country were facing acute hunger due to drought.

Doctors Without Borders has been actively screening children under five in Baidoa, uncovering acute malnutrition rates of around 50%. Although acute malnutrition is less severe than severe malnutrition, it still poses life-threatening risks due to sudden weight loss. The United Nations reported that over half a million individuals were displaced in Somalia during the first three months of 2026, predominantly driven by drought, with women and children comprising 85% of those displaced.

The unfolding crisis has reignited concerns of a recurrence of the near-famine experienced in Somalia in 2022. However, aid agencies are facing significant funding challenges that are impeding their response efforts. Doctors Without Borders highlighted the limited availability of approximately $300 million from donors for Somalia, a stark contrast to the $2.2 billion provided during the 2022 drought crisis.

Allara Ali, the project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in Somalia, emphasized the critical need for immediate action to prevent loss of lives, stressing that the international community must not wait for a famine declaration before taking decisive steps to address the escalating crisis.