The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) have delivered nutrition assistance to more than 180,000 children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in Somalia, according to a press release published on April 16, 2026. The effort was made possible by a USD 4.5 million contribution from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief. The assistance focused on preventing malnutrition among some of Somalia’s most vulnerable populations.
Somalia is facing a rapidly deteriorating hunger crisis. Currently, 6.5 million people — one-third of the population — are experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity, including 2 million people at emergency levels of hunger (IPC Phase 4). An estimated 1.84 million children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2026, with more than 483,000 expected to face severe acute malnutrition.
Through KSrelief’s funding, mothers and children in some of Somalia’s most drought-affected areas received specialized nutritious foods. The project also strengthened links between preventative nutrition services and existing health and nutrition programs, ensuring continuity of care. These connections helped increase the overall impact of the assistance delivered.
Hameed Nuru, WFP’s Representative and Country Director in Somalia, said: “Acute malnutrition levels are reaching a critical point in Somalia, with lifesaving nutrition services slashed by more than half since the beginning of 2025. KSrelief’s support enabled WFP to provide more than 180,000 children and mothers with specialized nutritious foods to prevent malnutrition. As needs rise, interventions like this, alongside lifesaving food assistance, are essential to ensure that vulnerable families continue receiving the support they urgently need.”
KSrelief has been a consistent partner of WFP in Somalia, contributing a total of USD 8.7 million since 2022 to support humanitarian relief and nutrition interventions across the country. This latest contribution builds on that sustained engagement as Somalia’s hunger crisis continues to worsen. The partnership represents an ongoing effort to reach the country’s most at-risk communities with targeted nutritional support.
