- Consecutive seasons of below-average rains have led to moderate to severe drought conditions in various parts of the region, including southern and south-eastern Ethiopia, northern and eastern Kenya, most of Somalia and localised parts of Uganda.
- According to the IPC Global Support Unit (IPC-GSU) for East and Central Africa, an estimated 58 million people in 11 of the 13 countries covered by the FSNWG were highly food insecure (IPC2 Phase 3+) and in need of urgent humanitarian assistance in March 2022. Of these, about 29 million were from seven of the eight IGAD member states.
- The number of children requiring treatment for acute malnutrition is sharply increasing across the region. Compared to similar periods in the recent years, severe acute malnutrition (SAM) admissions were up significantly in January and February 2022 in most countries.
- Food prices remained generally high across the region, exceeding the 2007|2008 economic crisis levels in various parts of the region, due to the compounding impact of the Ukraine-Russia crisis, ongoing drought, the long-running effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict and insecurity, and macroeconomic challenges in various parts of the region.
- As seasonal forecasts show drier than average conditions for the remainder of the season, it is likely that the food security and nutrition situation across the region will further deteriorate, with some populations facing Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) in worst-affected areas. A recent analysis in Somalia also indicates a risk of Famine in some areas in a worst-case scenario.
- Despite the ongoing crisis in the region, the humanitarian response so far remains underfunded. Increased advocacy for resources to respond to the increasing humanitarian needs is, therefore, needed.
Tags:
food security
,
nutrition
