Mogadishu, Somalia – Nearly 3.4 million Somalis, representing 17% of the country’s population, are currently facing critical food insecurity and acute malnutrition, according to the latest report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) released 24-Feb-2025.

Widespread flooding, ongoing conflicts, and reduced rainfall have driven millions of Somalis into alarming levels of hunger, with projections indicating the situation may worsen in the coming months.

The IPC report highlights that approximately 1.7 million children aged between 6 and 59 months are suffering from acute malnutrition, significantly increasing their risk of mortality.

Although there has been a 15% decrease compared to the same period last year, when 4 million Somalis were affected by a prolonged drought, the situation remains dire. Early seasonal rains and ongoing humanitarian assistance have provided some relief, but forecasts predict a worsening crisis.

The upcoming Gu’ season rains (April to June 2025) are expected to be below average, offering little support to agriculture and livestock. Food prices are also projected to rise, while continued conflicts and additional flooding may exacerbate the food insecurity crisis, potentially affecting up to 4.4 million people (23% of the population).

The hardest-hit areas include displacement camps in Bosaso, Galkayo, and Mogadishu, as well as farming regions like Beledweyne, Shabelle, and Bay.

Aid agencies have issued an urgent appeal for international assistance, calling for increased food aid, healthcare services, clean water, and medical support for communities in remote areas.

At the beginning of this year, aid organizations and the Somali government declared a need for $1.5 billion to address the needs of nearly 6 million Somalis in urgent need of assistance. This crisis comes amid the suspension of Somalia’s largest humanitarian aid program funded by USAID, which previously provided the majority of aid in the region.