Acute food insecurity has worsened across Karamoja since April 2026, driven by El Niño‑related shocks and rising food prices. Between August and October 2026, approximately 673,000 people—42 percent of the region—are facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), the highest level since 2018. Emergency outcomes (IPC Phase 4) nearly tripled to 118,000 people.  

From November 2026 to February 2027, acute food insecurity is projected to remain persistently high, with 679,000 people expected to be in IPC Phase 3 or above. Kotido is expected to be the worst affected, with 60 percent of its population in Phase 3 or above, including 15 percent in Phase 4.  

El Niño‑related dry spells caused near‑total crop failure and early stock depletion, while staple food prices rose 15–25 percent above 2025 levels, eroding purchasing power. Livestock losses further weakened coping capacity. While Humanitarian Food Security Assistance has helped mitigate short-term food access constraints, it remains far below needs. 

• Scale up targeted food and cash assistance for households with the most severe food consumption gaps, prioritising Kotido, Kaabong, Karenga and Nabilatuk and areas hosting returnees and IDPs. 
• Support crop recovery ahead of the next planting season with drought tolerant, early-maturing seeds, tools and extension advice—prioritising water-tolerant root and tuber crops in the low-lying greenbelts and cereals in the upper belts—and increase monitoring and control of fall armyworm in sorghum and maize. 
• Protect livestock through vaccination, treatment, disease surveillance, fodder support and access to strategic water points, with veterinary and advisory services activated ahead of the rains to contain foot-and-mouth disease, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, peste des petits ruminants and tick-borne diseases.  
• Combine life-saving assistance with resilience building, strengthening early warning and early action through clear triggers, contingency plans and pre-arranged financing, and investing in rangeland restoration, livelihood diversification, storage and shock-responsive social protection.