How the Middle East conflict is worsening Somalia’s slide into famine

Mustafe Denbil runs an agricultural shop and farm in northern Somalia, but three months after ordering fertilizer and pesticides, the supplies his business needs are still stranded in Dubai

Mustafe Denbil runs an agricultural shop and farm in northern Somalia, but three months after ordering fertilizer and pesticides, the supplies his business needs are still stranded in Dubai.

Subscribe to read this story ad-free

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.

Denbil, chairman of Horn Gardens in the city of Hargeisa, says the delays, driven by disruptions linked to the war in the Middle East, are now hitting farmers and families across the country, as soaring food and fuel prices deepen an already severe hunger crisis and push Somalia closer to famine.

“Now, when families come to our store, they may not get all what they need as they used to five months ago,” he told NBC News by phone. “The small farmers cannot even afford to buy at this new price.”