Somalia is witnessing a surge in diphtheria cases and related deaths this year, fueled by vaccine shortages and declining international aid, particularly from the United States, according to Somali health officials.
What is Diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
It mainly affects the nose, throat, and airways, and in some cases, the skin.
The bacteria release a toxin that can cause severe complications, including damage to the heart, nerves, and kidneys.
If untreated, Diphtheria can be life-threatening.
Thanks to vaccination, Diphtheria cases are rare in many parts of the world, but it remains a health risk in countries with low immunization rates or limited access to healthcare.
Rising in Diphtheria Cases
Hussein Mohyadin, Director General of the National Institute of Health in Somalia, confirmed that over 1,600 Diphtheria cases and 87 deaths have been recorded so far in 2025.
This marks a steep increase compared to 838 cases and 56 deaths in 2024.
Diphtheria Cases Rise Among Somali Children
Despite progress in childhood vaccination rates over the past decade, hundreds of thousands of Somali children remain unvaccinated.
Families displaced by ongoing conflict are especially vulnerable.
One mother, Deka Mohamed Ali, fled fighting in central Somalia only to see all four of her unvaccinated children contract diphtheria.
While her nine-year-old daughter recovered, her eight-year-old son died, and two others—including a three-year-old boy—are still receiving treatment in Mogadishu.
U.S. Aid Cuts Worsen the Diphtheria Crisis
Somali Health Minister Ali Haji Adam warned that the global vaccine shortage, combined with a reduction in U.S. health aid, has severely disrupted distribution.
Many health centers have shut down, and mobile vaccination teams lost funding.
U.S. government data shows its foreign aid commitment to Somalia dropped from $765 million in 2024 to $149 million in 2025.
While a State Department spokesperson stressed that the U.S. continues to provide life-saving support, they urged other nations to increase humanitarian contributions.
Multiple Outbreaks in Somalia
The crisis extends beyond Diphtheria.
Save the Children reported last month that the closure of hundreds of health clinics in Somalia has fueled spikes in measles, whooping cough, cholera, and acute respiratory infections since April.
Meanwhile, several European donors—including the UK, France, and Germany—have also scaled back their aid budgets, further straining Somalia’s fragile health system.
Limited Government Spending
The Somali government has faced criticism from doctors and rights groups for underfunding the health sector.
Amnesty International reported that Somalia allocated only 4.8% of its national budget to healthcare in 2024, down from 8.5% the previous year.
While the Health Ministry says it plans to launch a new vaccination campaign, it has not yet provided a timeline, raising concerns about the country’s preparedness to contain the escalating health crisis.
