The situation in somalia
Somalia is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis, with conflict, climate shocks, and food shortages pushing millions of children to the brink. The situation is dire and set to get worse as the number of children and adults in urgent need of support has soared to nearly 6 million. Severe food and water shortages, mass displacement and limited access to health and education services is threatening children’s survival and development across the country.
An estimated 1.8 million children under five are projected to face acute malnutrition - including 430,000 with the most severe and life-threatening form. 4.6 million people - 17% of the population - are experiencing crisis or emergency levels of hunger, driven by drought, conflict, and funding cuts to humanitarian programmes.
Two in three children in Somalia have experienced severe food poverty in early childhood, making them up to 50% more likely to develop life-threatening malnutrition. This is one of the highest rates anywhere in the world.
Millions more are displaced. Families who have fled conflict and climate shocks arrive at camps with little support, no income, and children who have missed months or years of school. The compounding effect of hunger, displacement, and disrupted education is creating a crisis that will affect a generation - unless we act.
Page updated September 2026
Read our latest report: When Aid Disappears, Childhoods Disappear Too - Fifteen Years of Lessons in Somalia: Why Global Solidarity Must Return in 2026 to Protect Children.
It looks at how fifteen years of recurring crises — the 2011 famine, the 2017 drought, COVID-19 and climate extremes in 2020–22, and the 2025 funding collapse — show what happens when sustained aid is there, and what happens when it isn't.
Guled's story: what recovery looks like, five years on
When Guled* was 10 months old, he was admitted to a Save the Children stabilisation centre in Gardo, Puntland, severely malnourished. He was hospitalised twice in his first year — once for suspected tuberculosis, once with such low haemoglobin he needed a blood transfusion.
Guled is five now. He's healthy, though still prone to picking up illnesses more easily than other children his age. He lives with his mother Asha* and five siblings in a small village, where the family's income depends on relatives, since Guled's father hasn't been able to work since a car accident.
Nurse Fartoun* measures Guled's* arm with a MUAC band to assess his level of malnutrition Mustafa Saeed / Save the Children
Now 5, Guled is alive because he got help in time. Together we can help more children before hunger becomes life-threatening. Mustafa Saeed / Save The Children
Asha is pregnant again. Through Save the Children's programme for pregnant and lactating mothers, she receives $20 a month — money she puts toward school fees for two of her children. She also stays connected to a Save the Children-supported health centre nearby, though she's noticed the services there have thinned since funding cuts.
"He was malnourished. He suffered from a severe fever, which led to anaemia... He is recovering now. However, his immunity remains weak. It becomes a must for me to reach out to the health centre immediately." — Asha*, Guled's mother says. "If we can, we eat three times, but mostly we eat only breakfast and supper, because we cannot afford to have all meals due to our low income."
Guled's recovery happened because a stabilisation centre was there when he needed it. His family's ability to keep him healthy since then depends on that support staying there too.
How we're helping children in Somalia right now
We deliver integrated humanitarian support, including in child protection, nutrition, health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene and food security and livelihoods. In 2025, Save the Children Somalia reached 3.5 million people including 1.9 million children.
Our work includes:
Child protection
- Case management and psychosocial support for children
- Identifying and supporting unaccompanied and separated children, including family tracing and reunification
- Running Child Friendly Spaces where children have a safe place to play
Education
- Education support for children in displacement camps, drought-affected communities and conflict-impacted regions
- Rehabilitating and building classrooms to reduce overcrowding
Health
- Maternal and newborn healthcare, and treatment for malaria and pneumonia
- Vaccinating children against measles, polio and tetanus
Nutrition
- Screening and treatment for malnutrition
- Infant and Young Child Feeding counselling for mothers and caregivers, covering breastfeeding, complementary feeding and maternal nutrition
Water, sanitation and hygiene
- Emergency water trucking at displacement sites and schools
- Distributing hygiene kits — soap, sanitary pads, jerry cans, water purification tablets
What this support means in practice
Salma*, Mohamed* and Jamal* smiling to the camera
Every morning, Salma*, 13, walks to school with her friends. She's in Grade 6, studying Somali, Mathematics and Science, and her dream is to become a doctor.
Behind her story is her mother, Suleika*, who cares for nine children with no stable income. Cash assistance - received in June 2025 through our programme with Somali Peace Line - helped Suleika pay rent, reduce debts, and cover school costs. She also attended nutrition awareness sessions that changed how she manages food and healthcare for the whole family.
"Education helped me learn how to read, write, and believe in my future, and now I know I can achieve my dreams," said Salma*. "I want to become a doctor so I can help people, support my mother, and serve my community."
Mumtaaz* is nine years old. More than four years ago, escalating violence forced her family to flee their home. When she arrived at the camp she felt withdrawn and unhappy - she didn't know anyone and rarely went outside. She also lives with a sight condition that makes dusty, windy days painful.
After being identified through the camp's referral system, she was referred to a child-friendly space. With adapted activities, close support from facilitators, and space to play and learn at her own pace, Mumtaaz made friends, grew in confidence, and began to thrive. Her mother received cash assistance and parenting support. Now Mumtaaz wants to become a doctor to help other children in displacement.
"Since Mumtaaz started attending the child friendly space, I have seen many positive changes. She has made friends, she is learning, and she is happier and more confident," said Rahma*, Mumtaaz's mother.
Names changed to protect identities.
Mumtaaz* and her mother Rahma* sitting inside their house
Save the Children in Somalia
Save the Children has worked in Somalia for over 70 years, since 1951 as a national and international leader in humanitarian and development programming. Our programs encompass health and nutrition, education, child protection, and child rights governance. With a long operational history and broad geographical reach, we have established strong, positive relationships with key stakeholders in Somalia.
We work alongside communities, local partners, and the government to design and implement programs that meet the needs of children and their countries. Additionally, we advocate for increased public and private investments to support children’s well-being and rights.
