The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warns that Somalia is on the brink of a humanitarian disaster, with 4.4 million people facing crisis-level food insecurity, including nearly 1 million experiencing severe hunger. The WFP’s funding is expected to run out by April, forcing the agency to reduce emergency food assistance from 2.2 million people to just over 600,000.

The crisis is driven by two consecutive failed rainy seasons, conflict, and declining humanitarian funding. The WFP needs $95 million to sustain operations between March and August 2026. Without immediate funding, the agency will be forced to halt humanitarian assistance, putting millions at risk.

According to WFP Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response Ross Smith, “The situation is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Families have lost everything, and many are already being pushed to the brink. Without immediate emergency food support, conditions will worsen quickly”.

The Somalia government declared a national drought emergency in November 2025, following severe water shortages, crop failures, and livestock losses.