Drought Crisis in the Horn of Africa

Situation Overview

Unprecedented levels of hunger continue to affect vast stretches of southern Ethiopia, arid regions of Kenya, and most of Somalia. An estimated 23 million people across all three countries are facing extreme food insecurity this year. From March to June 2023, around 5.1 million children are expected to be severely malnourished, jeopardizing their health, development and survival.

Although the rains returned this year between March and May, intense rainfall has led to flash flooding, leading to loss of life, destroying critical infrastructure, and displacing over 300,000 people in Ethiopia and Somalia. While the rains are likely to have an immediate impact by recharging surface water sources, regenerating vegetation and supporting farmers with the planting season, they have come amid reports of a cholera and diarrhea outbreak, mainly in Ethiopia and Somalia, which could lead to further outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

Famine has so far been averted. But the situation remains dire for so many. This has been the longest and most severe drought in recent memory. It takes pastoralists up to 5 years of favorable weather to rebuild their herds following a drought. The impact on people’s livelihoods will likely mean the current emergency lasts until late 2023, with a need for more frontline resources and flexibility to pivot from drought to flooding response

Country Snapshots

Ethiopia

• 11.8M facing food insecurity (IPC 3+)
• 3.8M children and pregnant and lactating women facing acute malnutrition

Somalia

• 6.5M Facing food insecurity (IPC 3+)
• 2.9M children and pregnant and lactating women facing acute malnutrition

Kenya

• 5.4M Facing food insecurity (IPC 3+)
• 1.1M children and pregnant and lactating women facing acute malnutrition

Links:

• https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/story/persistent-challenges-of-climate-change-in-somalia/