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Somali child hunger crisis deepens as facilities close due to aid cuts, UNICEF says
UNICEF said funding cuts have also driven a 32% rise in severe acute malnutrition admissions among children this year.
On Friday, UNICEF Spokesperson James Elder reported that humanitarian aid cuts are severely impacting children in Somalia, with facility closures and reduced services worsening the country's ongoing crisis.
Unprecedented funding reductions have forced the closure of 205 health and nutrition facilities so far, with funding to tackle acute malnutrition dropping by more than 80% this year as Western donors halted contributions.
Nearly 1.9 million children in Somalia are expected to be malnourished this year, with a 32% increase in children admitted to stabilization centers with severe acute malnutrition and complications.
Service coverage has plummeted across sectors: the education sector lost $30 million in 2025, at least 65 child protection facilities closed, and more than 1.6 million people lack access to safe water.
Somalia faces a worsening climate crisis, conflict, and rising costs for fuel and fertilizer, while Elder warned that as many as 618 health facilities could close nationwide if severe funding scenarios continue.