Attachments
SITUATION OVERVIEW
By May 2023, most parts of the drought-affected Horn of Africa region were on track to receive above-average rainfall, although some areas continued to experience dry spells, particularly in central Somalia. This followed five consecutive seasons of below average rains, which drove mass displacement, widespread death of livestock and a devastating humanitarian crisis. However, with the rains came severe flash floods, which impacted over 900,000 people in the region.
The flood waters worsened the risk of water-borne diseases such as cholera, amongst a population weakened by high rates of malnutrition. By the end of May, cholera remained at very high levels in Ethiopia, while Somalia and Kenya continued to experience cholera outbreaks as well. Although the rains helped replenish water points and provided vegetation and improved agricultural conditions, levels of malnutrition in the region reached their highest levels since the drought began in 2020.
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 4.3 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 almost 2 million people in May, a 3% increase from April. This reflects a 5% increase in Somalia— particularly in Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), WASH and Health—and a 4% decrease in Ethiopia due a reduction by half in the number of beneficiaries reached through the Rapid Response Fund (RRF).