disaster
Malnutrition admissions are overwhelming Baidoa Hospital in Somalia
By Médecins Sans Frontières at ReliefWeb
· June 16, 2026
· 4 min read
. Baidoa, 15 June 2026 – Malnutrition wards supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Baidoa, in Somalia’s Southwest State, are facing a record surge of children and pregnant and lactating women arriving in critical condition. Between March and May, nearly 1,400 patients were admitted to the
Key takeaway Between March and May, nearly 1,400 patients were admitted to the inpatient therapeutic feeding centre at Bay Regional Hospital.
Why this matters
The surge in malnutrition admissions at Baidoa Hospital in Somalia highlights the dire consequences of a prolonged drought and humanitarian funding crisis. With nearly one in two children under five acutely malnourished, the situation is particularly alarming for vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant and lactating women. The fact that monthly admissions to the MSF-supported inpatient wards more than tripled compared to the same period last year underscores the need for a rapid scale-up of emergency response efforts. The crisis in Somalia is part of a larger trend of increasing food insecurity in the region, with 6.5 million people facing severe food insecurity nationwide. As the situation continues to deteriorate, it is crucial that humanitarian organizations and donors prioritize food distribution, livelihood support, and nutrition assistance to prevent further loss of life and mitigate the long-term effects of malnutrition on affected communities.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 16, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . Baidoa, 15 June 2026 – Malnutrition wards supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Baidoa, in Somalia’s Southwest State, are facing a record surge of children and pregnant and lactating women arriving in critical condition. Between March and May, nearly 1,400 patients were admitted to the
When was this published? This article was first published on June 16, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Médecins Sans Frontières at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .