War in Ukraine Fuels Starvation in Somalia

A woman holding her child in Somalia.

In Somalia, known as the Horn of Africa, Somalians are facing a catastrophic combination of Covid-19, drought due to climate change, starvation, conflict, and high food prices. 92 percent of grains come from Russia and Ukraine, and due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, it has pushed severe food shortages, which has resulted in food insecurity and child deaths, with Somalia on the brink of famine.

In addition, millions of drought funding from Western capitals have been drawn away from Somalia to focus on the war in Ukraine, leaving many to flee to camps for immediate food and assistance. Many haven’t been so lucky.

At mother and children centers in Somalia’s northern Puntland region, every other child admitted there was reported as severely malnourished. Halima Omar, tells her story to reporters that four of her six children are dead. “There is nothing in the world worse than watching your own child die in front of your eyes because you cannot feed him,” she states. “I am losing hope.”

This is a great concern, as millions of lives are at risk. We must work together to ensure no child continues to die from acute malnutrition, and that Somalia has the resources they need. The Dr. Thompson Foundation has pledged to donate to bridge the funding relief gap at the World Food Programme. Let’s sound the alarm and mobilize worldwide to help Somalia in their time of need.

To help the World Food Programme, visit https://www.wfp.org/emergencies/somalia-emergency

Dr. Thompson