UN warns of prolonged hunger affecting 4.4 million in Somalia
UN agencies have warned of the worsening already dire humanitarian situation in Somalia due to drought, conflict, and rising food prices, stressing that 4.4 million people in the country will suffer from hunger by June 2025.
Somalia has faced consecutive climate shocks, with a significant reduction in rainfall at the end of 2024, leading to a sharp decline in crop yields, depletion of water sources, and livestock losses. Irregular rains and river flooding in key agricultural areas, such as Hiran, Middle Shabelle, and Middle Juba, have further devastated crops. As a result, food prices have soared, exacerbating food insecurity for millions of Somalis who are already struggling with poverty and displacement due to conflict.
New food security assessments indicate that a quarter of Somalia’s population may face “crisis” levels of food insecurity between April and June 2025, a sharp increase from the 3.4 million people currently experiencing acute hunger.
The FAO Representative in Somalia, Etienne Peterschmitt, stated that “the worsening drought, irregular rainfall, and ongoing conflict are eroding livelihoods, pushing families into deeper crisis.” He predicted that the hunger crisis would be most severe among displaced persons, pastoralists with limited livestock, and farming households that have exhausted their food supplies.
