By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Somalia, 11 August 2026 - A severe malnutrition crisis is unfolding among children living in displacement sites in Baidoa, Somalia, with a new survey finding one in every two children screened is acutely malnourished.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said its survey, conducted across 14 displacement sites in July, found that one in four children was severely malnourished, highlighting the worsening impact of drought and displacement on vulnerable families.
The survey covered 888 households and found that food shortages are widespread. About one-third of families reported surviving on just one meal a day, while only two per cent said they could afford three meals daily.
“What we are seeing is shocking and far beyond the threshold of an extremely critical emergency,” said Allara Ali, MSF’s project coordinator in Somalia.
MSF said the findings mirror its ongoing malnutrition monitoring in Baidoa. Since the beginning of the year, its teams have screened more than 21,000 children under five, recording global acute malnutrition levels of about 50 per cent.
The organisation warned that the crisis is being worsened by repeated failed rains and drought, which have deprived families of food, water, crops and livestock.
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The impact is particularly severe among women and children. According to MSF, more than half a million people were displaced in Somalia during the first three months of 2026, with drought accounting for nine out of 10 displacements. Women and children made up about 85 per cent of those displaced.
MSF also raised concern over declining humanitarian funding, saying the reduced support is limiting the ability of aid organisations to respond to the growing needs.
“The world cannot wait for a famine declaration before acting. Action is needed now to prevent loss of lives,” Ali said.
The medical charity is calling on donors, international organisations and health authorities to urgently increase funding and coordinate a stronger response in Baidoa and other drought-affected areas.