Somalia child hunger crisis deepens

Somalia is facing a deepening child hunger crisis as international aid funding has been drastically cut. UNICEF reported that 205 health and nutrition facilities have closed, and nearly 1.9 million children are projected to be affected by malnutrition this year, including almost half a million with severe acute malnutrition. The funding cuts have led to a 32% increase in children admitted to stabilization centers with severe acute malnutrition. Médecins Sans Frontières reported that funding to tackle acute malnutrition has dropped by more than 80% this year, with the United States halting its support. The crisis is exacerbated by drought, conflict, displacement, and rising costs due to the war in Iran. The World Food Programme has released HungerMap Live 2.0, an AI-powered tool to predict and respond to hunger crises, and has provided food assistance to 48,000 people in Burhakaba District. UNICEF warns that under severe funding scenarios, as many as 618 health facilities could close nationwide, and nearly 1 million children, adolescent girls, and women risk losing access to nutrition services.