East Africa Hunger Crisis: Concern's Response

In today's world, where we wake up to new crises daily, it's easy for ongoing humanitarian situations to slip through the cracks. Yet, despite the relentless news cycle, in 2024 Concern’s commitment to the communities in East Africa remained unwavering. As droughts, famine, and disease outbreaks continued to ravage the region, our focus and support have remained steadfast. 

 Across East Africa, countries continue to endure overlapping crises, further complicating efforts to respond and recover. Each nation faces unique challenges, but a common thread remains—the urgent need for sustained humanitarian assistance and long-term solutions. Below highlights the specific situations in Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kenya — all of which demand our continued attention and action. 

Somalia 

In 2023, Somalia was named the “hungriest country in the world” by the 2024 Global Hunger Index, with the nation on the brink of famine three times in the last decade. Droughts, followed by intense flooding, alongside ongoing political instability and weakened infrastructure, have left 6.9 million people in need of humanitarian aid, with 4.8 million requiring nutritional support. Concern has been in Somalia for 38 years, providing emergency health and nutrition services, cash transfers, and resilience-building programs. In 2024, we treated 400,000 patients, reached 617,000 people through €23 million in cash transfers, and helped over 120,000 people with sustainable solutions to ongoing humanitarian issues. 

Ethiopia 

Concern has been operating in Ethiopia for 51 years. Since 2020, the country has faced a deadly combination of conflict, COVID-19, and climate-related disasters. Millions have been displaced, and droughts have ravaged food production. The latest achievements in our response include screening over 133,000 children and 36,000 pregnant women for malnutrition, with an 86% recovery rate for acute malnutrition cases. Additionally, over 225,000 people received emergency cash transfers, and we supported 17,000 children in Amhara with educational opportunities through our Play Matters project. 

Sudan 

In August 2024, famine was declared in Sudan’s Zamzam camp in North Darfur. The ongoing conflict, hyperinflation, and a major drop in agricultural production have left over 24 million people in dire need of food assistance. Concern supports 90 clinics across the country, providing food, cash assistance, and resilience programs to displaced families. As of January 2025, we’ve reached around 300,000 individuals, including 9,000 people with food baskets and 15,000 with cash support. 

Kenya 

Kenya has been grappling with its worst drought in 40 years, a crisis that has persisted since 2020. Over 6.4 million people have been affected by five consecutive failed rainy seasons, with the most vulnerable areas, such as Turkana and Marsabit counties, suffering the greatest devastation. This prolonged drought has been compounded by increasing climate volatility, including erratic rainfall patterns, floods, and extreme weather events, which have further strained communities and resources. In response, Concern has been working on climate-smart agriculture, health, nutrition, and education programs. In 2023, we helped 12,629 families practice climate-smart agriculture on 6,138 acres of land and supported nearly 700 students in Marsabit County in STEM education. 

The challenges facing East Africa are complex and evolving. While media attention may shift, communities in Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kenya continue to navigate crises that require sustained support. Through decades of partnership, we remain committed to working together with local communities and organizations to address these challenges. The fight against hunger and instability is ongoing, but collective action can help ensure that even the most vulnerable communities have the resources they need to build a more secure future.