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MOGADISHU | “The New Arab” | Interview by: Al-Shafi’i Abtidon
Between the hammer of a relentless drought and the anvil of dwindling international funding, Somalia today stands on the brink of a profound human and humanitarian test—one that threatens not only livelihoods but the very dignity of its people and the future of an entire generation of women and children. At this critical crossroads, El-Khidir Daloum, WFP Somalia Country Director, in an exclusive interview with “The New Arab”, provides a clear-eyed assessment of a “silent” crisis that could explode at any moment.
In this interview conducted by journalist Al-Shafi’i Abtidon, Daloum speaks not just in cold statistics, but with the voice of Somali mothers fearing for the dawn and children withered by hunger. He issues a pure national and humanitarian appeal, anticipating a proactive Arab surge to restore hope to souls exhausted by waiting and to avert a catastrophe that will be unforgiving if it strikes.
The following is the full text of the interview:
Q: How would you describe the current state of food security in Somalia, and what are the key statistics reflecting the crisis?
Daloum: Food security is undergoing a sharp and alarming decline. Currently, approximately 4.4 million Somalis suffer from severe food insecurity. The crisis is particularly devastating for the most vulnerable; nearly 1.8 million pregnant and lactating women, as well as children, are facing acute malnutrition. This represents 25% of the total population. The fact that one in five children suffers from acute malnutrition is a critical red flag.
Q: Is Somalia facing an actual famine, or are we still within the warning phase?
Daloum: To be professionally precise, we are not speaking of a present famine, but rather a real risk of famine if no immediate intervention occurs. Estimates warn that nearly one million people could face this danger within the next six months. Displacement further complicates the issue; there are currently 3.4 million IDPs, with projections suggesting another million could be displaced under worst-case scenarios.
Q: What are the expected socio-economic repercussions of these potential waves of displacement?
Daloum: The danger lies in the productivity of the displaced themselves. Most potential IDPs come from high-productivity sectors like agriculture, pastoralism, and fisheries. Their relocation to camps transforms them from producers into aid-dependent populations, which erodes the future productivity of the Somali economy. Immediate intervention is vital to prevent new displacement and mitigate its severe economic impact.
Q: What are the primary drivers of this deterioration, and is there hope for improvement in the upcoming seasons?
Daloum: The causes are complex, primarily driven by the failure of the previous agricultural season. Unfortunately, current indicators suggest that the next season will not be any better. This has forced pastoralists to sell their livestock prematurely at low prices due to water scarcity and poor pastures, reflecting deep anxiety over livelihood survival.
Q: How do you evaluate the current international response and the status of aid programs?
Daloum: The international response remains below the required threshold. 2025 is considered one of the most challenging years for the humanitarian sector due to a global decline in donor funding. Consequently, the WFP was forced to reduce its assistance by 50%, drastically cutting the number of people we can reach compared to early 2025.
Q: What is your message to the international and Arab communities?
Daloum: The current situation is as grave as the conditions preceding the 2011 catastrophe. We have recorded 460,000 new displacements this year, with 50,000 people fleeing to neighboring countries. Our message is clear: We count on Arab solidarity to lead the humanitarian response and bolster efforts to confront this crisis before it is too late.
