Somalia continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of people requiring food, health and nutrition assistance as humanitarian workers delivering vital services increasingly operate in dangerous and insecure environments.
As the world marks World Humanitarian Day, the United Nations has highlighted the difficult conditions facing aid workers in Somalia and other crisis-affected parts of the world.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Somalia recognised humanitarian workers who continue to serve vulnerable communities despite growing security challenges.
“Today, we celebrate humanitarian workers serving across Somalia, often in difficult and insecure environments, to help those most in need,” OCHA Somalia said.
UN figures indicate that food insecurity and malnutrition remain serious concerns across Somalia.
An estimated six million people, equivalent to 31 per cent of the country’s population, were facing critical levels of food insecurity between April and June 2026.
Children have been among the hardest hit, with about 1.9 million children facing acute malnutrition.
Of this number, nearly 493,000 children are experiencing severe acute malnutrition and require urgent treatment and humanitarian support.
The situation in Burhakaba District in the Bay region has raised particular concern, with communities facing the risk of famine if conditions deteriorate further and humanitarian assistance is not increased.
The crisis has been compounded by funding shortages affecting humanitarian operations.
UN agencies say more than 500 health and nutrition facilities have closed across Somalia due to a lack of funding.
The closures are placing additional pressure on communities that rely on humanitarian assistance for essential services, particularly in areas affected by drought, conflict and displacement.
Beyond funding challenges, the safety of humanitarian workers has also become a major concern.
OCHA says 82 humanitarian workers have been killed, 97 injured and 39 kidnapped worldwide in 2026.
More than 1,000 aid workers have been killed since 2023.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for greater protection of humanitarian personnel so they can continue reaching people affected by crises.
“Serving others has become more dangerous than ever,” Guterres said.
World Humanitarian Day is observed every year on August 19 to honour humanitarian workers who provide assistance to communities affected by conflict, disasters and other emergencies.
The day also commemorates the 22 humanitarian workers who were killed in the bombing of the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2003.
In Somalia, this year’s observance comes as humanitarian needs continue to rise while resources available to respond to the crisis remain limited.
Humanitarian organisations continue to work with the Somali government to reach communities affected by drought, hunger, conflict and displacement.
The United Nations has warned that without adequate funding and a secure operating environment for aid workers, efforts to reach millions of people in need could face further setbacks.
