Somalia

After a gradual recovery from the food insecurity and famine of 2011, Somalia’s food security is once again under threat.  The situation is worsening in rural areas following consecutive seasons of poor rainfall and low river water levels. These have resulted in near-total crop failures, reduced rural employment opportunities, widespread shortage of water and pasture – with consequent increases in livestock deaths.  As local staple food prices continue to rise sharply and livestock prices decrease significantly, access to food is rapidly diminishing among poor families.

As of August 2022, 7.1 million people cannot meet their daily food requirements and require urgent humanitarian assistance, with more than 200,000 facing catastrophic hunger.  An estimated 1.5 million children under 5 suffer from acute malnutrition, of which 386,000 face a high risk of disease and death.

WFP addresses basic food needs, strengthens coping mechanisms and supports efforts to achieve food security. We reached 5.3 million vulnerable people in 2021, via all programmes ranging from emergency relief to activities designed to build resilience to future disasters, such as floods and drought. WFP provides assistance using a combination of cash transfers and food rations, as well as supporting communities to create assets that will strengthen their livelihoods and ability to withstand crises.

Supporting longer-term resilience in Somalia, WFP also works with other UN agencies – FAO and UNICEF – on a joint strategy designed to enhance families’ access to income, improve health, nutrition, education, safety and skills, and provide assistance during times of need.