Eastern Africa: Humanitarian Snapshot (As of March 2026)

Eastern Africa continues to face life-threatening risks, driven by conflict, drought, floods, and disease outbreaks with an estimated 53.2¹ million people in need. In addition, the Gulf crisis is triggering rapid fuel price increases, supply vulnerabilities, and compounding economic and instability pressures. The humanitarian outlook is deteriorating as fertilizer prices surge, food systems weaken, and critical supply chains experience delays. This happens while nearly 17 million people are displaced across the region and at least 6 million refugees hosted in neighbouring countries. Refugee hosting countries including Uganda, Burundi and Kenya which are under growing strain, while returns of Burundian refugees from Tanzania are placing additional pressure on already overstretched services.

Food insecurity remains severe, with nearly 39 million people facing crisis or worse levels (IPC Phase 3+).The highest numbers of food insecurity are in Sudan (19.1 million), Somalia (6.5 million), and South Sudan (5.9 million). In Somalia and in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands, drought, driven by failed rainy seasons in 2025, caused widespread crop failure, water shortages and displacement, affecting millions. Malnutrition levels are critically high, with about 9 million children under five and 1.3 million pregnant and breastfeeding women acutely malnourished. However, in other parts of Kenya, the long rainy season has triggered severe flooding, displacing tens of thousands.

Public health risks are rising sharply. Eastern Africa accounts for over one third of the global cholera burden, with at least 5,500 cases since January 2026. South Sudan has reported most cases followed by Somalia. Outbreaks are concentrated in displacement and flood-affected areas where water and sanitation systems are inadequate. Concurrent outbreaks of measles and mpox, particularly in Burundi, are further increasing transmission risks.

Humanitarians have continued to provide life-saving assistance, but funding shortfalls continue to undermine the response. In the first quarter of the year, donors provided over US$944 million, 18 per cent of the US$5.2 billion required, for Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, targeting 27 million people.