Monday May 5, 2025
By Ibrahim Abdullahi Maalim
FILE - USAID humanitarian aid destined for Somalia (Screengrab CGTN)
Overview:
Somalia is once again on the brink of a deepening humanitarian catastrophe following the U.S. government's decision to suspend all humanitarian funding through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The abrupt pause, which includes the freezing of a substantial $125.5 million aid package, comes at a time when over 3.8 million people in Somalia have been internally displaced by climate disasters and protracted conflict.
This decision, triggered by concerns over alleged misappropriation of funds, has sent shockwaves through the country's already fragile aid infrastructure. Displaced families, many of whom are living in makeshift camps with little access to basic necessities such as clean water, healthcare, or food, are now left more vulnerable than ever.
The ripple effect of the funding freeze is already visible across Somalia. Humanitarian organizations warn that without immediate financial relief, critical operations—including food aid, healthcare delivery, and water sanitation—will be scaled down or halted altogether. For communities like those in the Al-Hidaya camp, each day is a relentless struggle for survival.
Complexity of the situation:
Somalia's crisis is among the world's most complex and entrenched. Years of internal conflict, political instability and recurrent climate shocks—particularly prolonged droughts—have decimated livelihoods and shattered development gains. Failed rainy seasons have left millions teetering on the edge of starvation. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as of February 2025, an estimated 3.4 million Somalis are already experiencing crisis-level hunger and an additional one million people are projected to fall into food insecurity in the coming months.
Children are among the hardest hit. OCHA estimates that 1.7 million children will suffer from acute malnutrition this year, with around 460,000 expected to face severe acute malnutrition without urgent intervention.
Government intervention:
The Somali government, in coordination with the UN and other partners, has urgently appealed for continued engagement and pledged enhanced transparency in aid monitoring and delivery. Yet, humanitarian workers emphasize that goodwill alone cannot substitute for lost resources. Many NGOs are now seeking emergency funds from private donors and multilateral institutions to bridge the critical gap.
The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), which outlines a roadmap to assist 4.6 million people, is grossly underfunded—only 12.4 percent of the targeted $1.42 billion has been secured. Without rapid mobilization of resources, aid groups warn they will be forced to triage their efforts, focusing solely on the most at-risk populations.
In a country where the margin between survival and catastrophe is razor-thin, the aid freeze has amplified an already dire situation. Without swift, coordinated action from the international community, Somalia risks sliding into yet another preventable famine.
key recommendations:
▪ Diversify funding sources: Stakeholders should seek support from new international donors, private sector entities, and the Somali diaspora to expand the financial base. ▪ Strengthen government accountability: The government must adopt robust financial monitoring, involve independent audits, and create community-based feedback mechanisms to improve transparency.
▪ Focus on critical humanitarian aid: Both international and local NGOs should prioritize essential services like food, safe water, and healthcare, particularly for vulnerable groups such as internally displaced persons (IDPs), children, and pregnant women. Nutrition initiatives and mobile health units should be maintained.
▪ Promote climate resilience and sustainable development: Development efforts should back drought-resilient agriculture, water management systems, early warning mechanisms, and long-term housing solutions for displaced communities.
▪ Restore donor confidence and collaboration: Diplomatic outreach, especially with the U.S., is essential to address funding issues. Improving coordination with UN bodies and aid partners through transparent communication will help reinforce donor relations.
References:
https://www.unocha.org/somalia
https://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/somalia-monthly-humanitarian-update-february-2025
https://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/somalia-food-insecurity-and-malnutrition-dg-echo-ipc-un-ingos echo-daily-flash-25-february-2025
https://english.news.cn/africa/20250413/76230459da074cd6bbf36f22b116c198/c.html https://humanitarianoutcomes.org/sites/default/files/publications/ho_ukhih_somalia_1023_2.pdf
By - Ibrahim Abdullahi Maalim, 3rd May 2025 – [email protected] or +254720108091