Somalia Affected by Middle East Situation: 2 Million Children at Risk of Acute Malnutrition; UNICEF Executive Director Warns 'All Red Lights Are Flashing' [Press Release]

Children receiving treatment for severe acute malnutrition and complications at a medical facility in Dollow, southern Somalia, accompanied by their mothers. Drought has stripped many people of their livelihoods, including livestock and crops (Somalia, photographed March 25, 2026) © UNICEF/UNI967428/Tesfaye

[March 26, 2026, Mogadishu (Somalia) / New York] UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, who visited Somalia to assess the local situation, has sounded the alarm that approximately 2 million children across the country are at risk of acute malnutrition, with the situation continuing to deteriorate due to multiple crises, including rising prices linked to tensions in the Middle East, drought, conflict, and a lack of funding for aid. ＊　＊　＊ Somalia is facing an emergency situation where families are under immense pressure and basic services are severely strained due to drought, conflict, an increase in displaced persons, and a significant reduction in funding for humanitarian aid. New disruptions stemming from the escalation of conflict in the Middle East are putting pressure on global supply chains, with serious consequences for Somalia. The costs of transporting food, medicine, fuel, and water have soared, placing further burdens on households and humanitarian partners already in dire straits. As Somalia is heavily dependent on imports, prices are skyrocketing. In drought-affected areas, as water shortages worsen and the price of fuel for transport rises, the cost of water has more than doubled.

A woman drinking water at a water point in an internally displaced persons camp in Dollow, southern Somalia. People forced to leave their homes due to severe drought are seeking refuge in camps (Somalia, photographed March 25, 2026) © UNICEF/UNI967331/Tesfaye

Water scarcity remains one of the biggest factors driving the crisis. Rivers are drying up, wells are running dry, local water sources are becoming unreliable, and communities are being forced to move at an alarming rate. Particularly in areas where humanitarian aid is thin due to funding shortages, the spread of infectious diseases, loss of livelihoods, and worsening food insecurity are compounding to cause immense suffering.