MOGADISHU, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Food insecurity is worsening in several regions of Somalia, with 18 areas experiencing an increase in the number of people facing a food crisis, according to a report released on Monday.
The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis said that nearly 4.6 million people in Somalia will likely experience high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) between April and June.
"This includes about 784,000 people (4 percent of the population analyzed) in IPC Phase 4 (emergency) and nearly 3.8 million people (20 percent of the population analyzed) in IPC Phase 3 (crisis)," the IPC said in its updated report for April to June 2025.
This, it said, reflects an increase compared to the projection done in January, which estimated that 4.4 million people would be in IPC Phase 3 or above between April and June. The acute malnutrition burden estimate for 2025 has also increased to 1.8 million children from 1.7 million.
Key drivers for the likely deterioration of the food security situation during the projection period include anticipated below-average Gu season (April-June) rainfall, above-average food prices, continued conflict and insecurity, and localized flooding, said the report.
It noted that the worsening food insecurity in Somalia reflects the impact of reduced humanitarian aid and rising displacement.
According to an estimate by the International Organization for Migration and the Danish Refugee Council, Somalia will see an increase of 230,595 internally displaced persons (IDPs) between April and June, mainly due to conflict and drought-related displacement.
The IPC report said the reduction in humanitarian funding will lead to a significant reduction in the coverage of humanitarian food and cash assistance among the IDP population.
