A fragile system under threat: the impact of funding cuts on child health services in Somalia

Somalia, a country devastated by decades of conflict, has one of the highest rates of child mortality globally. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the nation's health infrastructure is heavily reliant on international aid, with 95% of healthcare funding supported by external donors.1 This dependency makes the health system vulnerable to shifts in global financing, affecting the delivery of essential health services.1 Due to recent funding cuts, the WHO country office has projected that approximately 618 health facilities, comprised of 413 health centres, 51 district hospitals and 154 primary health units, are at risk of closing by 2026.