Somalia Records Sharp Rise in Diphtheria Cases Amid Aid Cuts and Vaccine Shortages

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somalia has recorded a steep increase in diphtheria cases and deaths this year, with health officials warning that vaccine shortages and cuts in international aid are fueling the outbreak.

The National Institute of Health said more than 1,600 cases and 87 deaths have been confirmed in 2025. In comparison, the country registered 838 cases and 56 deaths throughout 2024.

Diphtheria is a bacterial disease that mostly affects children, causing throat swelling, fever, and difficulty in breathing. It is preventable through vaccination, but hundreds of thousands of Somali children remain unvaccinated despite improvements in immunisation rates over the past decade.

Families fleeing conflict are among the hardest hit. Deka Mohamed Ali, who escaped fighting in central Somalia three months ago, said all four of her children contracted diphtheria. Her 9-year-old daughter recovered, but her 8-year-old son died, while two younger children are currently being treated in Mogadishu.

Health Minister Ali Haji Adam blamed the worsening outbreak on global vaccine shortages and aid cuts, particularly from the United States. “The U.S. aid cut terribly affected health funding. Many health centres closed, and mobile vaccination teams lost funding,” he said. U.S. support dropped to $149 million this fiscal year, down from $765 million last year.

The U.S. State Department, however, said Washington continues to provide lifesaving assistance and urged other countries to step up support.

Humanitarian agencies, including Save the Children, reported that the closure of hundreds of clinics has left communities vulnerable. They say diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, cholera, and severe respiratory infections have all surged since April.

Other major donors, such as the UK, France, and Germany, have also reduced aid budgets in recent years.

Meanwhile, the Somali government, which allocated just 4.8% of its 2024 budget to health, has announced plans to launch a new vaccination drive, although no start date has been given.

GOOBJOOG NEWS AND REUTERS