Finnish Red Cross supports food aid in Somalia through its Disaster Relief Fund – 1.6 million children under the age of five suffer from malnutrition

In Somalia, around six million people are estimated to be in need of humanitarian aid and protection. Almost one in four people in Somalia suffer from acute food insecurity. An estimated 1.6 million children under the age of five are currently suffering from acute malnutrition. 

"The crisis in Somalia is one of the world’s forgotten crises, and the country is in dire need of help. We want to draw on our Disaster Relief Fund to support the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Somali Red Crescent Society in alleviating the humanitarian situation," says Head of International Emergency Operations Unit Marko Korhonen. 

The complex crisis in Somalia is rooted in political instability and conflicts and tensions within the country. Extreme weather events brought on by climate change, coupled with recent cuts in humanitarian aid and development cooperation, have further deepened the crisis.  

Nutritional supplements for young children 

The Finnish Red Cross is providing €270,000 from its Disaster Relief Fund to the International Committee of the Red Cross to purchase nutritional supplements for young children. 

"Children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases and malnutrition in crisis situations.  In addition to calories, nutritional supplements provide children with essential nutrients that also protect against infections", says Korhonen. 

Thanks to its neutrality and reliability, the Somali Red Crescent Society is able to deliver aid to hard-to-reach areas. The Finnish Red Cross is supporting the Somali Red Crescent Society to develop its disaster preparedness, provide healthcare and strengthen the protection of vulnerable people and the rights of people with disabilities, among other things.