Eastern Africa: Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (as of 21 February 2017) [EN/AR]

OVERVIEW

As a result of conflict, prolonged 22.9m drought and economic decline, 22.9 million people are severely food insecure across the eastern Africa region. Conflict in South Sudan, parts of Sudan and Somalia is aggravating food insecurity and causing displacement, which brings the number of refugees to nearly 4 million. Somalia, parts of Kenya and southeastern Ethiopia are in the grip of yet another severe drought. Famine has been declared in parts of South Sudan, and is a strong possibility in Somalia in 2017. Food prices are on the rise across the region, and malnutrition is above the emergency threshold in several locations. Healthcare facilities are overstretched by multiple disease outbreaks including measles, cholera, avian influenza and malaria. Insecurity and bureaucratic impediments are a hindrance to humanitarian operations, especially in Sudan, Somalia and South Sudan.