Kathmandu— A deepening hunger crisis is threatening the lives of nearly two million children in drought-stricken Somalia, with a reported 32 percent jump in cases of severe acute malnutrition during the first half of 2026, according to UNICEF. The surge in child malnutrition coincides with substantial cuts to international aid, forcing hundreds of health and nutrition facilities to close and limiting access to essential services for vulnerable populations. Approximately 500,000 people have been displaced by drought since January, adding to the existing 3.3 million Somalis already uprooted from their homes, while one-third of the country’s 19 million residents face severe food shortages.

Spiking Malnutrition Rates

UNICEF reported a significant increase in children requiring treatment for severe acute malnutrition and related complications. The number of admissions to facilities providing care rose by 32 percent between January and June of this year, raising alarm among humanitarian organizations. Nearly 1.9 million children are now projected to be malnourished throughout 2026, highlighting the growing scale of the crisis.

Aid Cuts Compound Drought Effects

The worsening situation is being exacerbated by drastic cuts in international aid funding. UNICEF spokesman James Elder stated that these reductions are “closing doors to healthcare, shutting down nutrition services, and pushing water, education and protection further out of reach.” As many as 618 health facilities nationwide could be forced to close under current funding scenarios. Doctors Without Borders has also reported an over 80 percent drop in funding for acute malnutrition programs this year, following aid reductions from the United States and other Western nations.

Multiple Crises Converge

Somalia is currently grappling with a severe drought that has decimated livestock, ruined harvests, and destroyed livelihoods. This ongoing climate crisis is compounded by rising global costs for essential resources like fuel and fertilizer, linked in part to the conflict between the US and Israel on Iran. Furthermore, forecasts predict a strong El Nino weather pattern will bring severe flooding, potentially worsening the humanitarian situation.

Vulnerable Populations at Risk

The cuts to aid are disproportionately impacting women and children. Nearly one million children under five, along with adolescent girls and women, risk losing access to vital nutrition services. Somalia was also excluded from a recent $2 billion global humanitarian aid pledge due to concerns regarding aid diversion and corruption.

Humanitarian organizations continue to call for increased funding and support to address the escalating crisis in Somalia, warning that further reductions in aid will have devastating consequences for vulnerable populations.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.