Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — April 17, 2026 In the face of one of the worst droughts in decades, Somalia is addressing a severe humanitarian emergency, with millions facing acute food insecurity and the risk of malnutrition.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has reported that as of April 2026, an estimated 6. 5 million people, nearly a third of the population, are in crisis levels of hunger. Over 1.
8 million children under five are at significant risk of severe acute malnutrition.
The ongoing drought, now in its fourth consecutive season, has compounded the country’s struggles, with successive failed rainy seasons leading to near-total failure of the 2025 Deyr rains. This has led to a surge in severe acute food insecurity, with over 2 million people in Phase 4 (Emergency) of acute food insecurity. Water sources have dried up or become contaminated, with the Shabelle River sections in the Middle Shabelle region drying up, affecting over 65 villages.
The situation is similarly dire along the Juba River in Gedo Region, where authorities estimate that more than 200,000 people are facing water shortages.
The Somalia Red Crescent Society (SRCS) has been actively working to provide life-saving assistance, but the scale of the crisis demands a coordinated and sustained international response.
The current Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) is critically underfunded at only 10. 9%, leaving many priority districts without adequate aid coverage. This, combined with the lack of funding, has severely strained the ability of aid organizations to reach those in dire need.
The IFRC has emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling for immediate funding and support to address the crisis. Without sustained intervention, the situation could worsen, with another failed season pushing Somalia’s famine risk from contingent to active.
The international community must come together to address this crisis, ensuring that the necessary support is provided to prevent further suffering and loss of life. Immediate action is needed to avert a potential humanitarian catastrophe in Somalia.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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By This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
