Fresh fighting in Baidoa deepens Somalia's hunger crisis, UN says
1 October 2026
UN News reported on 30 September 2026 that fresh fighting erupted in Baidoa, South West State.
The clashes were between government forces and fighters loyal to a former regional president ousted in March.
Children were killed and injured, and a health facility was damaged.
Across Somalia 2 million children are acutely or severely malnourished, and 26,000 people in Baidoa face catastrophic food insecurity.
The World Food Programme, which once reached over 4 million people monthly, now supports only 670,000 people.
WFP Country Director Hameed Nuru said severe funding shortfalls mean it is reaching only a fraction of those in need.
Malnourished children in Somalia:
2 million
Catastrophic food insecurity in Baidoa:
26,000 people
People now supported by WFP:
670,000
Why it matters for exams: Famine, food insecurity and the UN's humanitarian agencies are recurring world-affairs themes.
Kerala PSCUPSC