Somalia food insecurity and famine risk

The food security situation in Somalia has faced both reporting challenges and escalating physical risks. In late August 2026, the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) exhibited significant data gaps, with Somalia lacking profile updates since July despite a worsening crisis affecting an estimated 6.5 million people. This lack of data occurred alongside the removal of Somalia, Afghanistan, and Yemen from certain food assistance outlook briefs.

By late September 2026, Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC) data indicated a rising crisis. The number of people facing severe food insecurity in Somalia rose to approximately 5.1 million between July and September, a 50 percent increase from the previous year. Projections suggest this number could reach 5.4 million by the end of the year.

Specific risks include nearly two million acutely malnourished children and approximately 26,000 internally displaced persons in Baidoa facing the potential for IPC Phase 5, or famine catastrophe. The crisis is driven by drought, irregular rainfall, insecurity, high food prices, and El Niño, all compounded by decreased humanitarian aid funding. Alex Fenwick of Welthungerhilfe warned that food security is ‘on a knife-edge’ as impending floods threaten livelihoods.