European Union supports WFP’s emergency response as millions at risk of worsening hunger in Somalia

4.4 million Somalis - almost a quarter of the population - face crisis levels of food insecurity or worse (IPC3+) according to an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report published in September 2025. This includes nearly 1 million people in emergency hunger (IPC4), an increase from 620,000 in July. Malnutrition is also alarmingly high with almost half of all children malnourished and in need of urgent treatment.

"The combined effects of drought, conflict, displacement and high food prices have left millions of Somalis facing severe hunger. WFP is the largest humanitarian organization in the country and can rapidly scale up the delivery of lifesaving food assistance. However, severe funding shortfalls have forced us to reduce the number of people who receive emergency food assistance," said El-Khidir Daloum, WFP's Country Director in Somalia. "This contribution comes at a critical moment, and we appreciate the continued support from the European Union, a vital partner in Somalia's humanitarian efforts."

In November 2025, the Federal Government of Somalia announced a national drought emergency after both the April-to-June and October-to-December rainy seasons saw below-average rainfall. This has resulted in water shortages, crop and livestock losses, and displacement across the northern, central, and southern regions.

"As hunger and malnutrition continue to rise across Somalia, the European Union is scaling up its support to ensure that lifesaving assistance reaches those most at risk," said Javier Rio-Navarro, Head of Office for Somalia, European Commission Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. "Through our partnership with WFP, we are helping families cope with the immediate impacts of drought and conflict while maintaining critical humanitarian access through UNHAS. This funding reflects the EU's continued commitment to stand with the people of Somalia in this escalating crisis."

Of the total contribution, EUR 5 million will support WFP's emergency operation to provide 60,000 people with lifesaving assistance in the form of cash to buy food and other necessities needed for survival. The additional EUR 1.5 million will support UNHAS operations, helping humanitarians from 45 organisations reach crisis-affected people living in 18 remote and hard-to-reach areas of Somalia.

The European Union has been a major contributor to WFP in Somalia, providing EUR 55 million to humanitarian assistance, UNHAS operations, and the Logistics Cluster since 2020.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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