Somaliland – Sir Mo Farah, the four-time Olympic gold medallist and Save the Children ambassador, visited Somaliland on Tuesday to witness firsthand the severe impact of climate change on child malnutrition. During his visit to Gabiley, Farah met with mothers at a health centre who described the dire consequences of ongoing droughts and floods that have exacerbated food insecurity in the region.
The crisis has left nearly seven million people in urgent need of humanitarian aid. Farah spoke with mothers who had travelled long distances to seek medical help for their malnourished children, expressing admiration for their resilience amidst adversity. “The choices these mothers are forced to make are nothing short of impossible,” Farah said.
Somalia is grappling with extreme food insecurity as prolonged droughts and severe flooding have intensified the crisis, putting four million people and nearly two million children at risk of acute malnutrition. The situation underscores the urgent need for continued support and intervention from the international community.
Farah emphasized the crucial role of Save the Children, which has been active in Somalia for over 70 years. The organization provides essential health, nutrition, and education support to vulnerable populations. In 2023 alone, Save the Children reached 4.7 million people, including more than 2.47 million children, with vital aid.