Severe Funding Gaps Cripple Somalia’s Drought and Hunger Response - Serwe News
The World Food Programme warns that 6.5 million people in Somalia are facing crisis-level hunger while aid operations are being forced to scale back. Extreme drought and ongoing conflict have nearly doubled the number of food-insecure individuals compared to last year.
In reports released this week, the United Nations highlighted a critical food security emergency across Somalia and the broader Horn of Africa. Thousands of animals have reportedly died as watering holes vanish, leaving the landscape littered with carcasses. Although the regional response infrastructure has improved since 2022, a massive shortage of funding is now forcing humanitarian agencies to implement drastic cutbacks. The World Food Programme (WFP) noted that it can currently only reach approximately one out of every ten people who require urgent help. As a result, emergency cash transfers have been paused in several districts, and specialized nutritional support for pregnant women and young children has been severely curtailed.