Heartbreaking Reality for Children in Somalia: A Call for Action

Mogadishu (AX) – Imagine a world where your child’s survival hinges on access to basic nutrition. For at least 55,000 children in Somalia, this dire situation is poised to worsen by June. The ongoing cuts to international aid are forcing Save the Children to shutter more than a quarter of its health and nutrition facilities across the nation.

As the largest non-governmental provider of health and nutrition services for children in Somalia, Save the Children’s actions are a critical lifeline. Unfortunately, the organization announced the closure of 121 nutrition centres, particularly hitting hard in Baidoa, a region that has already been grappling with vulnerabilities for far too long. It’s a heart-wrenching scenario, one that compels us to ask: What happens when a community’s support systems collapse?

Mohamud Mohamed Hassan, Save the Children’s Country Director for Somalia, aptly remarked, “It’s frightening to imagine what the impact of these aid cuts will be on Somalia just a few months down the road, in a country where communities know all too well what extreme hunger – and even famine – feels like.”

These closures come at a time when an astounding 1.8 million children in Somalia are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition this year. The Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit reports that among them, an estimated 479,000 children are likely to face severe acute malnutrition—a condition that can be fatal if not addressed promptly. What does it mean for a child to go hungry? It often translates into a lifetime of physical and mental challenges, not just for them but for their families and communities as a whole.

Take Baidoa, for instance. Over 800,000 people there are internally displaced, a result of relentless conflict and recurring droughts. Within this struggle, we meet Fatima, a 25-year-old mother who lives in a displacement camp. Fatima’s story is both heartbreaking and hope-inducing; her one-year-old daughter, Fardowso, was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. Thankfully, Save the Children provided the nutritional supplements and medical care that restored her daughter’s health.

Fatima shares, “If we were unable to access medicines and nutritional support here, we would have no choice but to witness our children succumb to starvation before our very eyes. There simply are no alternatives.” Her candidness is a painful reminder of the stakes involved. How would you cope, as a parent, knowing your child is a heartbeat away from dire consequences?

In addition to Fatima’s experience, Dr. Mustafa Mohammed works tirelessly at a Save the Children-supported stabilization centre in Baidoa, where the children suffering from severe acute malnutrition receive urgent care. The treatment includes hydration drips, milk enriched with essential vitamins, and a nutrient-rich peanut paste that has yielded a recovery rate of over 95%. However, Dr. Mohammed is deeply concerned about the impact of facility closures. “If our centre closes, children such as these will be put into grave danger. There is nowhere else for these children to go,” he says, the weight of his words palpable.

As the rainy season approaches, conditions are expected to deteriorate further. Save the Children has indicated that clinics are already inundated with cases. Projections suggest that 11% more children are expected to become severely malnourished this year compared to the last, even as the availability of nutritious services dwindles. Isn’t it remarkable how the cycle of need often seems unbreakable?

The funding gap, described by Save the Children as a “political choice,” is not just a line item; it carries grave implications for vulnerable children across the nation. “Unless funding is found, I fear that we will see deadly consequences for children,” Hassan cautioned, his voice a blend of urgency and anguish.

Somalia’s struggles with hunger crises are far from new. Climate shocks, conflicts, and chronic underfunding have orchestrated a perfect storm, yet the global humanitarian response remains alarmingly inadequate. Save the Children, which has been operational in Somalia since 1951, served 3.2 million people in 2024, reaching 1.9 million of those in need. Each statistic is a person; each individual has a story. But as resources dwindle, how can these stories continue to be told?

The truth is, we cannot afford to turn our backs. As a global community, we have a duty to ensure that vulnerable children like Fardowso, Fatima, and the countless others are not left to fend for themselves in a harsh reality devoid of hope. Are we ready to heed the call for action?

Let’s come together to support these children and amplify their voices—because every child deserves a chance at a healthy future.