UN Appeals for $852 Million as Somalia Faces Escalating Humanitarian Crisis

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The United Nations has appealed for $852 million to address the pressing humanitarian needs in Somalia, a stark 40% decrease from the 2025 funding request. This reduction highlights the gravity of a crisis exacerbated by persistent shocks, including prolonged drought, ongoing conflict, and recurrent disease outbreaks.

Over the past four years, Somalia has faced the failure of four consecutive rainy seasons in several regions, significantly depleting water sources and degrading rangelands. This climatic catastrophe has resulted in crop failures affecting up to 85% of farmland. Consequently, soaring food prices have pushed millions into a state of acute food insecurity, with an estimated 4.4 million people projected to experience crisis-level hunger or worse in 2026.

The impact of conflict and climate shocks has also led to significant displacement. In 2025 alone, approximately 680,000 people were forced to flee their homes, raising the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to 3.3 million. These vulnerable populations face increased risks of gender-based violence, child recruitment, and forced evictions, amplifying the humanitarian crisis.

The fragile health system in Somalia is under immense strain due to chronic underfunding and the closure of healthcare facilities. This has resulted in widespread outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, measles, and diphtheria, further complicating the already dire situation. Approximately 1.85 million children under five are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition, with over 421,000 cases classified as severe.

Despite a reported 20% decrease in the estimated number of people requiring assistance compared to 2025, this figure reflects a stricter definition of needs rather than any real improvement in conditions on the ground. Humanitarian partners aim to provide targeted assistance to only 2.4 million people in 2026, less than half of those in need, representing a 47% reduction in the targeted population compared to the previous year.

Severe funding cuts in 2025 have already led to the closure of hundreds of health and nutrition facilities, leaving over 600,000 people without essential food or cash support. Without immediate and adequate funding, experts warn that the humanitarian situation in Somalia is expected to deteriorate further, making the need for urgent action and support more critical than ever.