Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Ethiopia + 3 more

IOM East and Horn of Africa Drought Response - Situation Report (1 - 30 June 2023)

Attachments

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The Gu rainy season concluded with most areas in the Horn of Africa region having received above-average rainfall, except for a few areas mainly in central Somalia. However, with the rains came severe flash floods, which impacted over 900,000 people in the region. After five consecutive failed rainy seasons, leading to the displacement of almost three million people and the death of 13 million livestock—coupled with continued armed conflict in many parts of the region—the floods further compounded the region’s humanitarian needs. As a result, malnutrition is significantly worse this year as compared to any previous year since the drought began in 2020. Added to this, the region continues to face cholera and measles outbreaks, with Ethiopia facing a particularly severe cholera outbreak that has caused over 170 deaths. Although the rains helped replenish water points and provide vegetation and improved agricultural conditions, full recovery from the drought will likely take many years.

While famine has been averted through sustained and scaled-up assistance, further multi-sectoral assistance and donor support is urgently required, including to rebuild livelihoods, strengthen resilience and prepare for further floods expected as a result of the El Niño weather phenomenon later this year.

IOM RESPONSE

Since January 2022, IOM scaled up its drought response significantly in Somalia and Ethiopia, reaching more than 4.4 million people. Kenya and Djibouti are yet to commence large-scale operations due to funding constraints, although Kenya continued its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) activities and is planning new Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and cash assistance interventions.

Regionally, IOM reached 2.1 million people in June, a 7% increase from May. This reflects a 10% increase in Somalia—particularly in Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Shelter/Non-Food Items (NFI) and Health—and a 2% monthly decrease in Ethiopia mainly due to funding constraints leading to a 21% reduction in health assistance in that country.