33.1 million people in the eastern and central Africa region are currently severely food insecure (IPC phase 3 or worse) and require food assistance. Of these, 16.95 million are from four of the eight IGAD member countries (i.e. Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan).

Significant food security gains have been realised in most countries following aboveaverage rains across the region towards the end of 2019. However, macro-economic shocks, protracted conflict, the ongoing desert locust infestation and the COVID-19 pandemic threaten to erode these gains.

Acute malnutrition levels across the region remain high and could further deteriorate. Diseases such as cholera, malaria and measles remain a threat across the region.