The risk of famine has increased in parts of Somalia’s south, where global food security monitors warned that failed rains, high food prices and lower aid could deepen hunger.
The warning covers Burhakaba District in Bay Region, southern Somalia, where more than 37% of young children suffer from acute malnutrition, according to the U.N.-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.
The IPC said Burhakaba could face famine under a worst-case scenario involving failed Gu seasonal rains, soaring food prices and weaker humanitarian food assistance. The district has an estimated population of about 200,000.
FEWS NET, a U.S.-funded early warning monitor, said seasonal rains may improve enough to stabilise conditions temporarily. However, spokesperson Hannah Button said famine could rapidly emerge if another poor harvest hits agro-pastoral areas in Bay, Bakool and Gedo regions.
The IPC report said about 6 million Somalis face crisis levels of food insecurity or worse. That figure stands below the 6.5 million reported in February but above the 5.5 million previously projected for this period.
Humanitarian assistance for April to June increased sharply, according to the IPC, but reached only 12% of people facing crisis levels of food insecurity or worse.
U.N. data put Somalia’s humanitarian funding at $160 million in 2026, compared with $531 million last year and $2.38 billion during the 2022 drought.
Mercy Corps Somalia Country Director Daud Jiran said Somalia risks becoming a major “post-aid era” crisis as needs rise and the response shrinks.
