In the analysis period of October to December 2020, about 8.6 million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above). The Meher analysis covers 17 administrative zones which were further subdivided into three to six fairly homogeneous woredas based on geographic proximity, livelihoods and coping, meteorological drought analysis and rainfall patterns; and which have been food insecure at least three years prior. The analysis covers a total analysed rural population of 53 million located in Meher and Belg cropping, pastoral and agro pastoral livelihoods in seven regions of Ethiopia. The Belg analysis was an update of the previous analysis conducted in August 2020. The result indicates that despite ongoing Humanitarian Food Assistance (HFA), an estimated 8.6 million people (17% of analysed population) are facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above). Of these, about 7.2 million people are classified in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and about 1.4 million people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4). Download the snapshot here.
The key drivers of Ethiopia's acute food insecurity situation are summarized as follows: Economic decline: Significant macroeconomic challenges still prevail in the country, resulting in high inflation rates exacerbated by COVID-19 prevention measures; COVID-19 measures: Lockdowns and other measures put in place to prevent COVID-19 spread had a negative impact on food availability and access, mainly food prices, income and food expenditure, as well as a decline in remittances and employment opportunities; Desert locusts continue to pose a serious risk of damage to both pasture and crops. By October 2020, 205 woredas saw both Belg and Meher 2020 crops affected; Displacement: Around 1.2 million people have been displaced due to conflict. More displaced people are expected during the analysis period due to the recent conflict in Tigray. Severe flash floods have caused significant population displacement (154,000 people) and damage to property, infrastructure, farmland , and crops. Download the brief here
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