DROUGHT CAUSES SHARP INCREASE IN FOOD INSECURITY WITH 6.5 MILLION PEOPLE AT RISK; CHILD MALNUTRITION AFFECTS OVER 1.8 MILLION
Key Findings
A combination of deteriorating drought conditions, ongoing conflict, and rising food costs has significantly worsened acute food insecurity in Somalia since August 2025. Despite temporary relief from improved rainfall in 2023 and 2025, below-average precipitation from October to December 2025 resulted in poor crop yields in farming communities and rapid exhaustion of grazing lands and water sources in pastoral regions. Drought conditions, insecurity, and violence in central, southern, and portions of northern Somalia have forced displacement and interfered with livelihoods and market accessibility. The crisis is exacerbated by diminished humanitarian support, as food aid in January 2026 reached just 17% of the 4.8 million requiring assistance.
During the February-March 2026 dry season, approximately 6.5 million Somalis are projected to experience severe acute food insecurityclassified as IPC Phase 3 or higher. This represents nearly twice as many people as previously identified in the IPC classification,