Attachments
Situation overview
44 million people need humanitarian assistance in East Africa.
East Africa is experiencing an unprecedented fifth failed rainy season, more than 44 million people need humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan and over 28 million people are facing severe levels of hunger. The current focus on humanitarian interventions, whilst clearly needed, fails to address the destructive cycle perpetuated by dramatic climate events. It is critical that we simultaneously address underlying structural issues:
Climate change and ecological degradation by replenishing the soil, restoring ecosystem function, and ensuring food security.
Livelihood recovery and diversification through regenerative agriculture and improving productivity.
Social cohesion by leveraging on improved food security outcomes and livelihood recovery to address natural resource competition.
In this context, with more than 16 years experience in the region, ACTED takes a nexus approach, combining humanitarian, development and peacebuilding to address the drought.
Kenya
Kenya has suffered a 70 percent drop in crop production and has declared a national disaster with 4.5 million people in acute hunger, now in need of aid. 205,000 people have been displaced because of the drought, caused in some part by the death of 2.4 million livestock representing key rural livelihoods. The on-going drought has increased human-human and human animal conflict.
Ethiopia
In Ethiopia over 15 million people are severely food insecure. In Somali region alone 3.5 million people experience critical water and food shortages. An estimated 3.5 million livestock have died, leaving pastoralists who entirely depend on herding for survival with nothing.
Somalia
Most of Somalia is in severe drought conditions, with projected famine in two districts of Bay region. In April 2023, half the population of Somalia, more than eight million people, are expected to face crisis or worse levels of food insecurity. The drought, along with access issues due to non-state actors, has caused massive increases in food prices. An additional one million people have been displaced since January 2022, adding to an existing three million displaced from previous droughts and conflicts. More than 3.5 million livestock have died since mid-2021, devastating livelihoods.
South Sudan
In South Sudan, over 6.6 million people are facing crisis or worse levels of food security. Much of South Sudan is now under water, with 1.1 million people affected by severe flooding, undermining food security. It is unclear when the water in the flood zones is likely to recede, meaning more danger may be ahead for millions of people.
Uganda
In Uganda’s Karamoja region, a quarter of the population (315,000 people) are in IPC Phase 3 (crisis) or above. Food scarcity and resource competition are among the main drivers of violence, which includes intercommunal conflicts, cattle rustling and an extremely high rate of gender-based violence.
5.8 million people in the region have been displaced in and outside borders
Across East Africa, more than 70 percent of the population live in rural areas and rely on livelihoods that are affected by climate change8. The loss of these livelihoods pose a significant threat to national GDP. Proximate impacts of this loss of livelihood are displacement. It is estimated that 5.8 million people in the region have been displaced across borders or face internal displacement due to environmental conditions and resource scarcity.