Somalia Launches National Strategy to Tackle Malnutrition

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The federal government of Somalia has launched a national strategy aimed at tackling malnutrition by bringing government institutions and development partners together to address its underlying causes.

The Somalia Multisectoral Nutrition Strategy 2026 was launched in Mogadishu at an event organised by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement. It seeks to coordinate efforts across health, food production and agriculture, social protection, climate resilience, water and sanitation.

Implementation will involve federal and state institutions responsible for health, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, planning and environment, alongside the Somali Disaster Management Agency and the national statistics agency.

International partners including the WFP, FAO, WHO and UNICEF, as well as civil society organisations, charities and universities, are also expected to support the strategy.

The framework comes as Somalia continues to face overlapping pressures on food and nutrition security, including climate shocks, displacement, food shortages and limited access to healthcare, clean water and sanitation.

The strategy moves beyond treating malnutrition solely as a health issue, recognising that food insecurity, poverty, climate-related shocks, inadequate sanitation and limited access to essential services can all contribute to poor nutrition.

Government officials called for sustained cooperation among public institutions, humanitarian and development partners and civil society to turn the strategy into measurable improvements in the nutrition and wellbeing of Somali communities.

The launch provides Somalia with a common national framework for addressing malnutrition, although its impact will depend on effective coordination, financing and sustained implementation across the country.