Fighting Famine in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen
More than 30 million people in northeastern Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen are experiencing severe food insecurity, of whom 20 million are at immediate risk. Continued violence in all four countries is compounding decades of under-investment in agriculture, leading to a potential catastrophe if humanitarian corridors are not opened up quickly, and aid is not increased rapidly, to prevent millions from dying of hunger. The UN has issued an urgent appeal for US$4.9 billion by July for life-saving assistance in the key areas of food security, health, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene, but so far, only $1.9 billion has been received. (OCHA, 9 June 2017)
NIGERIA - EMERGENCY
According to OCHA (15 May 2017), 4.7 million people are estimated to be food insecure in the country’s most crisis-affected states (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe). This number is expected to rise to 5.2 million between June and August if adequate measures are not put in place. In addition, says NRC (5 May 2017), some families are so desperate for food that they have eaten their seed stocks, leaving them nothing to plant for the next growing season. Communities began to flee violence in northeast Nigeria in 2009, following relentless violence by the armed group Boko Haram. Some 1.8 million people have been displaced inside Nigeria since, and over 200,000 have fled to Cameroon, Chad and Niger. Now these countries are forcing them to return, adding to the burden of care on already very stretched resources.
SOMALIA - EMERGENCY
According to the latest reports, there is an increased risk of famine this year in some parts of Somalia. To respond to the growing needs, partners have revised the Humanitarian Response Plan for 2017; it now seeks US$1.5 billion to reach 5.5 million people with life-saving assistance in 2017. As of 11 May, donors had provided $634 million in 2017.
The number of people needing humanitarian assistance has increased to 6.7 million, up from 6.2 million, according to the latest projections by the FAO-managed Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit. A total of 3.2 million people are expected to face Crisis and Emergency (IPC Phase 3 and 4) levels of food insecurity through June (OCHA, 16 May 2017).
The warnings are clear: in a worst-case scenario where, first, the 2017 Gu (April-June) season performs very poorly, second, purchasing power declines to levels seen in 2010/2011, and third, humanitarian assistance is unable to reach populations in need, famine (IPC Phase 5) is expected (FAO, 5 May 2017).
In addition, Somalia is experiencing the worst outbreak of cholera in five years, with nearly 38,000 cases and almost 683 deaths so far in 2017. With the beginning of the rainy season and projected flooding, these numbers are expected to increase to 50,000 cases by end-June. Cases of measles are also on the rise, with more than 7,000 this year, 65 per cent affecting children under-five (OCHA, 16 May 2017).
SOUTH SUDAN - EMERGENCY
Famine is no longer occurring in Leer and Mayendit counties, and further deterioration was prevented in Koch and Panyijiar counties of former Southern Unity State as a result of immediate and sustained multi-sector humanitarian assistance delivered to the affected population since March 2017. The early detection of the deterioration of the food security situation into famine followed by the subsequent large-scale immediate response averted further loss of life, thus underscoring the importance of evidence based analysis and response. However, in June-July 2017, approximately 45,000 people will still be facing Humanitarian Catastrophe in Leer, Koch, Mayendit in former Unity State and Ayod County in former Jonglei state based on most likely assumptions of continued armed conflict, food shortages associated with seasonality, and humanitarian assistance delivery constraints ... In June-July 2017, in addition to approximately 45,000 people estimated to be facing Humanitarian Catastrophe, an estimated 1.7 million people are likely to be facing food security emergency (IPC Phase 4) - one-step below Famine on the IPC scale. (IPC, 21 Jun 2017).
South Sudan has now become the world’s fastest-growing refugee crisis, with more than 1.8 million people – including one million children – having sought safety in Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic (WFP, UNHCR, 15 May 2017). Agencies are now seeking $1.4 billion to help South Sudanese refugees in the six neighbouring countries until the end of 2017.
YEMEN - EMERGENCY
The recent closure of all Yemeni seaports is highly concerning. Even before the current blockade, Yemen already faced the largest food security emergency in the world, with more than 15 million people facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Yemen is reliant on maritime imports for more than 80 percent of its annual staple food supply. Therefore, a prolonged closure of key ports risks an unprecedented deterioration in food security to Famine (IPC Phase 5) across large areas of the country.
If all ports remain closed, or re-open but are unable to support large-scale imports of essential goods, Famine is likely in many areas of the country within three to four months. In less accessible areas with the most severe current food insecurity, Famine could emerge even more quickly. In this scenario, food availability would be severely constrained, as the potential for overland trade to offset the decline in maritime imports is extremely low. In addition, concurrent limitations on fuel imports would accelerate sharp increases in fuel and staple food prices, while the lack of imported medical supplies would jeopardize treatment options for life-threatening illness. (FEWS NET, 20 Nov 2017).
All Updates on Fighting Famine in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen
Cluster Overview
Out of an estimated 5.6 million people in need of nutrition assistance, some 1.2 million people were reached with assistance. Treatment for moderate and acute malnutrition was provided to 342.000 people out of a caseload of 2.9 million people targeted.
Cluster Overview
A monthly average of 7.1 million people were reached with emergency food assistance through in kind, cash transfers and vouchers. In addition, approx. 871,000 individuals received livelihoods assistance including agricultural, livestock and fisheries inputs.
“Here our job is human. I can’t leave it, I can’t stop.”
Dr Anisa, a doctor with British Red Cross partner the Yemen Red Crescent, speaks from a battered clinic in Sana’a, Yemen.
Once, she was a hospital specialist. The clinic was a thriving health centre for mothers and babies.
But now, Yemen is caught up in deadly conflict. Dr Anisa is now a GP working in one of the only clinics where people can get free healthcare. Patients travel for hours to see her every day.
Like many doctors in Yemen, she hasn’t been paid in two years.
Messages clés
HIGHLIGHTS
Airstrikes and insecurity result in civilian deaths, infrastructure damage, and service disruptions
Relief agencies provide humanitarian assistance to more than 283,000 Al Hudaydah IDPs
Health actors commence a cholera vaccination campaign targeting 578,000 people in Al Hudaydah and Ibb governorates
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
The gradual improvement of pastoral conditions remains insufficient to significantly impact household food security
Key Messages
Within the period of 1 – 7 August 2018, a total of 6,494 movements were recorded, including 5,317 arrivals and 1,177 departures at locations in Askira/Uba, Bama, Chibok, Damboa, Demsa, Dikwa, Fufore, Girei, Gombi, Guzamala, Gwoza, Hawul, Hong, Kala/Balge, Konduga, Kukawa, Madagali, Mafa, Magumeri, Maiduguri, Maiha, Mayo-Belwa, Michika, Mobbar, Monguno, Mubi-North, Mubi-South, Ngala, Nganzai, Numan, Yola-North and Yola-South Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Adamawa and Borno States.
226,559
Nigerian refugees displaced by the insurgency in Cameroon, Chad and Niger as of 31 July 2018
(or latest figures available)
2,254,213
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the region displaced by the insurgency
(or latest figures available)
HIGHLIGHTS AND OPERATIONAL CONTEXT
KEY ISSUES:
• Violence in several governorates has killed tens of civilian, including children and women, and continues to displace thousands of other people.
• As of 05 August, 50,552 households have been displaced from Al Hudaydah and 47,400 households (93 per cent of caseload) have received assistance through the rapid response mechanism (RRM)
• More than 1.4 million people in need of assistance live in districts with high access constraints. Food and fuel imports declined by 18 and 20 per cent, respectively, in July
Key Messages
Protracted conflict drives food insecurity; and flooding in the north affects livelihoods
The latest projection indicates an improving food security situation in areas that were affected by the 2016-2017 drought, due to the above-average Gu rainy season (April-June) supported by large-scale humanitarian assistance. However, humanitarian needs remain critical with an estimated 5.4 million people in need of assistance. Most areas of the country are currently in Stress (IPC Phase 2), with some in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) – mainly internally displaced person (IDPs) with limited access to tenable livelihoods.
Highlights:
RDP reached 45,766 beneficiaries disaggregated 15,179 men, 20,626 women, 4,808 boys and 5,153 girls through integrated package of Health, nutrition, WASH and Food Security Interventions in July, 2018.
Daily Nutritional Services in Mudhiakhera District, Ibb Governorate.
Community based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) Training for health workers in Mudhaikhera District.
Daily Health and Nutrition Services in Mudhiakhera District.
UNOCHA Observation in Mudhiakhera District.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Currency Exchange Rate: Driven by foreign exchange shortages, the South Sudanese Pound (SSP) continued its depreciation in May. In Juba, the average exchange rate of one US Dollar was 305 SSP in the parallel market, while the official exchange rate was SSP 138, compared to 274 SSP and 136 SSP in the previous month. Given the low value of the local currency, the Central Bank of South Sudan introduced new 500 SSP bill in June.
SITUATION
After more than four years of civil conflict, South Sudan remains one of the most food-insecure countries in the world. The IPC Technical Working Group reported that 5.3 million people required food assistance in January, an increase of 40 percent from the same time last year. Food security deteriorated through July 2018, as widespread conflict continued to displace communities, disrupt livelihood activities and impede humanitarian access to vulnerable populations.
HIGHLIGHTS
UN records at least 10 aid worker deaths between January and June
April–May clashes result in more than 230 civilian deaths in Unity
Violence prompts relief actors to restrict operations in Maban
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
22.2 million People are in need of humanitarian assistance
2 million People are internally displaced
2.2 million People are aimed to be supported by IOM
Key Highlights
IOM initiated kitchens in four schools in Hudaydah where displaced people are currently residing. Through these kitchens and other facilities, over 20,400 hot meals have been served since the current crisis began.
Introduction
Following the outbreak of violence in Juba in July 2016, the conflict in South Sudan expanded to previously peaceful areas, including the Greater Equatoria region (Central, Eastern, and Western Equatoria states). Many areas in the Greater Equatoria region are largely inaccessible to humanitarian actors due to insecurity. As a result, only limited information is available on the humanitarian situation outside of a few large towns and displacement sites.
Education & Child Protection
CMD with financing partners have reached 56,973 Beneficiaries Directly with Education in Emergency (EiE) Intervention for IDPs, Returnees, Vulnerable Children and School Aged Youth in Ayod and Ulang Counties South Sudan in the first half of 2018 against an Overall target of 77,125 by the end of 2019.
This update covers the period of June - July 2018 and is endorsed by FAO, UNICEF and WFP in South Sudan
Persistent conflict, disruption of livelihoods, poor economic conditions and challenges faced in the delivery of humanitarian assistance have pushed nearly 60 percent of the population into severe acute food insecurity during the peak of the lean season (June-July), when food shortages are typically at their worst levels.
Sector’s achievements from January - June 2018, KPI’s and challenges
At the end of the first half of the year, 223,503 children under five have been admitted and treated for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) without medical complications throughout 801 outpatient therapeutic sites that reported across Adamawa Yobe and Borno states. 5,807 children were treated for SAM with medical complications in 26 inpatient stabilisation centres. Management of moderate acute malnutrition reached 16,320 children between 24-59 Months.
