Oxfam Dangerous Delays: East Africa Acute Hunger

Photo: Joseph Odongo 

A mother carrying her child at the Ziwani IDP Camp. She was recently displaced by the unrelenting floods following heavy downpour in the area. The ‘El Nino’ phenomenon continues to cause heavy rains in the area, damaging property and disrupting the lives of communities. 

We would like to share with you an update on the severe hunger crisis in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan with information from our response up to December 2023. 

Background 
In addition to enduring five years of drought, the extensive and prolonged rainfall witnessed in the final three months of 2023 has led to widespread flooding in the region, particularly impacting the low-lying pastoral regions of southern Somalia, the northeastern and coastal areas of Kenya, and the southern and southeastern pastoral areas of Ethiopia.  

This deluge displaced nearly 1.5 million people across these three nations, inflicting substantial losses of crops and livestock, disrupting livelihoods and trade, and causing widespread damage to critical infrastructure. The floods, exacerbated by El Niño, have further complicated the situation by damaging roads and causing mud accumulation.  

The challenging scenario is compounded by limited funding resources in the face of escalating needs arising from the dual challenges of drought and floods. We would like to thank GlobalGiving donors for helping to ensure Oxfam can continue responding to these natural disasters across the region. We continue, working with local partners, to provide vital aid, including emergency food water, sanitation, and hygiene services. 

 Somalia 

Water and pasture are sufficiently available in most of Oxfam’s area of operations in eastern Somamiland due to the favorable rainfall season. Despite ongoing humanitarian efforts making a positive impact; however. the situation remains critical; an estimated 4.5 million people are expected to face hunger. 

Oxfam and our partners have played a crucial role in assisting 452,591 individuals: 

• 780 households have received solar lights and 120 other household beneficiaries have received wheelbarrows. 
• Cash has been provided to 134,680 individuals in Qardo and Las Anod to purchase food. 
• 60 household latrines were installed. 
• Hygiene promotion campaigns in 16 camps for displaced people reached  3,153 people. 

Kenya 

Progress has been made in reducing the number of people facing severe hunger in Kenya from 4.4 million to 2.8 million. As of December 2023, however, authorities reported that more than half a million people have been displaced due to flooding and heavy rains, and 5 million people are in need of water assistance. 

Oxfam and our partners in Kenya have provided essential assistance to 300,988 people: 

• Rehabilitation of boreholes and distribution of essential items, water tanks, and sanitary supplies, have reached 75,263 people. 
• Continuing cash assistance reached 132,783 people. 
• Water access in the camps was improved; the existing water infrastructure was rehabilitated, and 10,000 litre tanks and water collection points were provided. 
• 3,730 people, including 563 persons living with disabilities were reached with water and messaging focusing on handwashing with soap, water safety, safe excreta disposal, food preparation and storage, and nutritional counseling. 

Ethiopia 

Severe drought has affected 13 million people in Ethiopia, with 11.8 million facing severe hunger, rising risks of child marriage and child labor, and gender-based violence. Reduced rainfall during the rainy season has impacted northeastern to southwestern regions, affecting vegetation and crop production. 

Oxfam and partners have provided essential aid to 188,608 people: 

• Sanitation, water and hygiene, dignity kits, school latrines, and water system upgrades have reached 97,540 people. 
• Food distribution, cash assistance, livestock food, and agricultural tools have reached 50,796 people. 
• Cash for protection and economic and social empowerment have reached 12,682 people. 

South Sudan 

Due to below-average rainfall, limited resources, and high food prices, 5.83 million people in South Sudan are experiencing extreme hunger.  Additionally, 900,000 people have lost their homes, crops, and livestock to floods. 

Oxfam and partners have provided vital aid to 836,811 people: 

• Drilling and equipping new boreholes in Akobo West and Pibor has given 98,933 people access to clean and safe water. 
•  76 boreholes have been repaired and  456 water management committee members have been trained on safe water management. 
• Food distribution and feeding programs have reached 488860 people. 
• 1270 households received cash with each household receiving 751.95 USD as one time distribution. 

Thank you again for your support to the East Africa Acute Hunger Crisis.