Somalia's humanitarian crisis demands immediate action and funding to avert hunger

Mogadishu, Somalia, February 27- Catastrophic climate change coupled with conflict has pushed over 4 million Somalis into severe hunger. Currently, one in five Somalis has no access to adequate food. 1.7 million children face acute malnutrition, their young lives hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) is only 1.6% funded as of 27th February, leaving the most vulnerable without a lifeline.

In 2023, Somalia was at the cusp of a famine. Five consecutive failed rain seasons followed by extreme flooding left 6.9 million people in need. The country witnessed unprecedented levels of displacement that saw 2.9 million people leave their homes in search of food and water. All the while, the 2023 HRP which was $2.6B, was only 44.5% funded by the end of the year.

Although we have seen an improvement in the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance, the number of people who do not know where the next meal will come from is unacceptable and very disturbing,

shared Ummy Dubow, Country Director at CARE Somalia.

"CARE-supported health facilities continue to see an influx of children and mothers who are seeking treatment for malnutrition, especially among displaced communities. If we do not scale up humanitarian support in Somalia, we will see these numbers rising again,” she added.

At the same time, funding has also significantly reduced with the Somalia Humanitarian Plan witnessing a 50% reduction in funding between 2021 and 2023. With humanitarian needs globally forecasted to increase, there are fears that funding in Somalia’s HRP will further reduce.

Maryam*, a mother receiving support for her child who was malnourished, expressed:

“I have five children and my husband does not earn enough for us to get three meals per day. We had to leave our home due to the recent drought. We now rely on the food that we receive at this health facility to survive. Despite this, our children rarely get enough to eat.”

Since late 2023 and extending into early 2024, devastating floods wreaked havoc on agricultural lands, decimating vital crops and sweeping away livestock—the cornerstone of many Somali families' livelihoods. This dual blow has exacerbated an already dire situation, with soaring food prices persisting well beyond the typical five-year average.

"The urgency of the situation in Somalia cannot be overstated. Lives hang in the balance as resources dwindle in the face of escalating needs. We implore governments and international donors to swiftly step up with crucial funding and support," said Ummy Dubow, expressing her concern.

Somalia cannot afford to slip from our collective consciousness at this critical juncture. With timely intervention, we have the power to reach those on the brink of desperation and make a tangible difference in their lives,

emphasised Ummy Dubow, Country Director at CARE Somalia.

CARE's work in Somalia

CARE is working alongside strategic partners in Somalia by providing support to the health system so that it can cope with the number of malnourished children and mothers. In the displaced communities, CARE is also providing unconditional and multi-purpose cash assistance for families who are either faced with food insecurity and/or displaced to buy food and as well meet their basic needs.