Mogadishu, Somalia — The first quarter of 2026 has witnessed a severe escalation of the humanitarian crisis in Somalia, with 6. 5 million people addressing high levels of acute food insecurity, as reported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The IPC report has indicated that a third of the Somali population is expected to face crisis levels of hunger by March 2026, a situation exacerbated by recurrent droughts, ongoing conflict, disease outbreaks, and economic shocks.
The crisis is particularly severe in the Nugaal, Mudug, Bari, and Sanaag regions, which are enduring their fourth consecutive season of poor rains. Over 1. 8 million children under five are at risk of acute malnutrition, with nearly half a million facing severe malnutrition, according to the World Food Programme (WFP).
The WFP delegation’s visit to Mogadishu highlighted the plight of the internally displaced population (IDPs), with UNHCR data showing that as of March 2026, there were 1,109,273 IDPs in the Banadir Cluster, and a significant number in the Gedo, Bay, and Juba Hoose Clusters.
The humanitarian situation is further complicated by the fact that 3. 7 million people across Somalia require sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including 300,000 pregnant and lactating women who face heightened risks of pregnancy-related complications due to food insecurity and malnutrition, as outlined in the UNFPA Somalia Country Humanitarian Appeal 2026. Despite ongoing efforts, the situation remains critical.
The international community and Somali authorities must collaborate to provide the necessary resources and support to alleviate the suffering of millions.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: United Nations Population Fund
