Greater Horn of Africa - Impact of El Nino ( DG ECHO, UN OCHA, FSNWG) (ECHO Daily Flash of 13 October 2023)

Communities in Eastern Africa, some of which are already dealing with conflict, displacement or recovery from recent disasters, are now facing the challenge of El Niño. Above-average rainfall is now expected in eastern parts of the region while below-average rainfall is expected in western areas.

In flood-prone and riverine areas, there is a substantial risk of flooding, which is expected to destroy critical infrastructure and assets, cause crop damage and livestock deaths, contribute to disease outbreaks, displace populations, limit humanitarian access, and lead to localised increases in food insecurity.

The impact of damaged infrastructure, contaminated water sources, and population displacements caused by El Niño could be extremely severe. Displaced populations are particularly vulnerable to food and nutrition insecurity, water-borne diseases, protection and gender-based violence (GBV) risks, and other humanitarian challenges, while persons with disabilities are disproportionately at risk of losing access to life-saving services.