Somalia: Hundreds of Health and Nutrition Facilities Closed As Somalia's Child Crisis Deepens

What the report says

UNICEF warned that Somalia’s child health and nutrition response is under severe strain as humanitarian funding cuts force closures across the country. In remarks attributed to UNICEF spokesperson James Elder at a Geneva press briefing, the agency said 205 health and nutrition facilities have already shut, reducing access to treatment for children and families in need.

The report said the impact is showing up quickly in rising malnutrition cases. UNICEF cited a 32% increase in the first half of this year in admissions to stabilization centres for severe acute malnutrition and related complications compared with the same period last year. It also said further funding shortfalls could put as many as 618 health facilities at risk of closure, while nearly one million children under five, as well as adolescent girls and women, could lose nutrition services.

UNICEF linked the situation to wider pressures in Somalia, including drought, displacement, conflict and looming flood risks tied to El Niño. It also said water, education and child protection services are being affected, with more than 78,000 students already having dropped out and 65 child protection service points and facilities closed. The agency argued that existing programs have delivered strong results, but said those gains are now at risk without sustained donor support.

The broader context is Somalia’s long-running humanitarian crisis, where climate shocks and insecurity have repeatedly driven food insecurity and displacement. UNICEF said the current aid retreat is arriving as needs are intensifying, making it harder to reach children before illness becomes life-threatening.