The European Union has announced a humanitarian assistance package worth 63 million euros ($74.4 million) for Somalia to support life-saving relief operations as the country faces escalating humanitarian pressures caused by conflict, displacement and prolonged drought.
The funding, disclosed on Thursday, is aimed at addressing urgent humanitarian needs, with priority given to healthcare, nutrition services and emergency assistance for vulnerable communities across the Horn of Africa nation.
Somalia continues to confront one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises, driven by persistent insecurity linked to fighting between government forces and militants from al-Shabaab, alongside recurring climate shocks that have severely disrupted livelihoods and food production.
Years of armed conflict have displaced millions of people internally, forcing families into overcrowded camps where access to clean water, healthcare and adequate food supplies remains limited. At the same time, repeated droughts followed in some areas by flooding have weakened agricultural output and increased dependence on humanitarian assistance.
In a statement, the EU said the latest funding would help deliver critical health and nutrition services, including treatment for malnutrition, emergency medical care and food support for communities facing acute hunger. The assistance is also expected to support internally displaced persons and populations living in conflict-affected regions where humanitarian needs remain highest.
The new allocation reinforces the EU’s long-standing humanitarian engagement in Somalia. According to the bloc, total humanitarian assistance provided to the country since 2017 now exceeds 750 million euros, reflecting sustained international concern over Somalia’s fragile humanitarian situation.
The announcement comes at a critical moment for aid agencies operating in the country. Earlier this month, the United Nations World Food Programme warned that its life-saving food and nutrition programmes in Somalia could be forced to shut down as early as April unless fresh funding is secured.
The WFP said millions of Somalis depend on emergency food assistance to survive, particularly children, pregnant women and displaced households whose coping mechanisms have been exhausted after consecutive climate and economic shocks.
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Humanitarian organisations have repeatedly cautioned that reductions in aid funding could reverse fragile gains made in preventing famine conditions in recent years. Somalia experienced near-famine situations during previous drought cycles, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to sudden funding gaps and environmental shocks.
Insecurity continues to complicate relief operations, with ongoing clashes restricting humanitarian access in some regions. Aid agencies say violence disrupts supply routes, increases operational risks and delays the delivery of essential assistance to remote communities.
Although the EU did not specify when the funds would be disbursed, officials indicated that the support is intended to respond rapidly to immediate humanitarian needs while strengthening resilience among affected populations.
Beyond emergency relief, international partners increasingly emphasise the importance of linking humanitarian assistance with long-term recovery efforts, including climate adaptation, livelihood support and improved access to essential public services.
Analysts say sustained international support will remain essential as Somalia navigates overlapping crises involving insecurity, climate change, economic fragility and widespread displacement.
The EU’s latest funding commitment is expected to help close urgent financing gaps and sustain essential humanitarian operations in the coming months, offering temporary relief to millions facing food insecurity and health risks while broader efforts continue to stabilise the country and reduce long-term dependence on aid.
