MSF says half of displaced children in SW Somalia acutely malnourished

The international medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says half of all children in displacement sites in Baidoa, southwest Somalia, are acutely malnourished, as drought, insecurity and cuts to humanitarian funding worsen the crisis.

According to the latest IPC assessment, around six million people in Somalia are at risk of acute food insecurity, including 1.6 million facing emergency levels. Mitchell Sangma, MSF Medical Coordinator said "It has not been an understatement when I say that a severe humanitarian emergency is unfolding right now in Baidoa and across the country.”

More than 500,000 people have been displaced in the first three months of this year, with drought accounting for about 90 percent of the displacement. MSF says more than 40 health centres have closed, while hospitals are seeing rising numbers of severe malnutrition cases.