SOMALIA — A sharp rise in the number of severely malnourished children receiving treatment in southern Somalia is highlighting the growing impact of reduced humanitarian funding, prolonged drought and rising living costs.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said admissions of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition at its supported stabilisation centre at Kismayo General Hospital increased by 41 per cent in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
The organisation warned that many vulnerable families are struggling to afford food, transport and medical care as economic pressures continue to worsen.
“We’re seeing the combined impact of rising fuel and food costs, the lingering consequences of drought which have disrupted livelihoods, and reductions in aid funding just as families in Somalia need that help the most,” said Antoine Grand, head of delegation for the ICRC in Somalia.
Although the ICRC has expanded support for Somali Red Crescent nutrition clinics from 10 to 22 facilities, access to treatment remains difficult, particularly for communities living in remote areas.
Many families are now forced to travel for several days to reach health facilities capable of treating severe malnutrition.
Among the children receiving care is three-year-old Hassan, who arrived at Kismayo General Hospital suffering from severe malnutrition, marasmus, pneumonia and stomatitis after his mother travelled through flooded roads for days to reach medical help.
“I didn’t have money for transport, so contributions were made. We got in the car and spent days on the road because the rains had made it impassable,” Hassan’s mother, Sabirin, told the ICRC.
The crisis has also been worsened by rising fuel prices, which have increased the cost of transporting food and accessing healthcare. Traders in Kismayo say the price of essential goods has continued to climb, placing additional pressure on struggling households.
The ICRC said Somalia remains one of its largest humanitarian operations in Africa, with an annual budget of about $80 million, but warned that urgent and sustained international support is needed.
“Without urgent and sustained international funding, more lives will be lost and recent gains in strengthening communities’ resilience could be reversed,” the organisation said.
