Crisis levels of food insecurity will persist following below-average March to May rains

Crisis and Emergency levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 and 4) are expected to persist through at least September in parts of the Greater Horn, following mixed and generally below-average March to May rains. Very heavy rains and flooding occurred in the western sector of the region, while other parts of the region experienced significant rainfall deficits despite heavy rains in April and May (Figure 1). In Belg- and root crop-dependant areas of Ethiopia’s SNNP Region and the northeastern highlands and agropastoral areas of southern Somalia, emergency food assistance needs will peak between now and July/August. In pastoral parts of the greater Mandera Triangle and in the agropastoral areas of the southeastern and coastal lowlands of Kenya, humanitarian assistance needs will be most acute during the July and September dry period.