Officials have cautioned that Somalia’s food crisis is rapidly worsening, affecting 6.5 million individuals – approximately one-third of the population – with crisis-level food insecurity, including two million in emergency situations.

The World Food Programme (WFP) announced Thursday that it has provided nutritional assistance to over 180,000 children and expectant or nursing mothers in Somalia, supported by $4.5 million (Sh581.1 million) in funding.

The WFP emphasized that this financial support has been vital in preventing malnutrition as food insecurity intensifies across Somalia.

“Acute malnutrition rates in Somalia have reached a critical threshold, with life-saving nutritional services reduced by more than half since early 2025,” stated Hameed Nuru, WFP representative and country director for Somalia.

Officials reiterated that Somalia’s hunger situation is deteriorating quickly, impacting 6.5 million people – roughly one-third of the population – with crisis-level food insecurity, including two million in emergency conditions.

According to WFP projections, approximately 1.84 million children will face acute malnutrition in 2026, with more than 483,000 anticipated to endure the most severe form of malnutrition.

“As the demand for assistance grows, initiatives such as this, combined with essential food aid, are crucial to guarantee that vulnerable households continue receiving the urgent support they require,” Nuru emphasized.

The WFP reported that mothers and children in some of Somalia’s most drought-stricken regions have already gained from this nutritional aid, which is helping safeguard their health and decrease the likelihood of malnutrition.