Countries In Focus
East and Horn of Africa Food Insecurity in the context of Desert Locusts and COVID-19
The East and Horn of Africa region is already home to some of the most food insecure populations in the world. Now, with countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia currently facing one of the worst desert locust infestations in decades, coupled with the impacts of COVID-19, experts fear that the health crisis transforms into a food crisis unless global, regional and country level coordinated action is in place to control the economic crisis.
COVID-19 exacerbates Afghanistan's food crisis, 10 million acutely food insecure
Food security remains alarmingly high in Afghanistan with continuing conflict, widespread unemployment, and price hikes, all exacerbated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zimbabwe: Over 4 million people need urgent attention
Currently, 45% of the rural population is in Crisis or Emergency (IPC Phase 3 and 4) while 29% is Stressed (IPC Phase 2). This is a deterioration from the last analysis conducted in June 2019, when 38% of the total population was in IPC Phase 3 and higher.
South Sudan: Floods exacerbate severe food insecurity in South Sudan
In the analysis period of January 2020, 5.29 million people (45.2% of the population) are estimated to have faced Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity, of which 1.11 million people faced Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity.
Desert locusts could worsen food insecurity in East and Horn of Africa
The East and Horn of Africa region is currently facing one of the worst infestations of desert locusts - whose destructive impact is likely to cause large-scale crop damage and worsen food insecurity in countries already affected by recurrent drought, conflict and high food prices.
Central African Republic - November 2019
1.6 million people in the current period and 2.1 million people in the projected period in Central African Republic are in urgent need of action to save their lives, protect their livelihoods and reduce their food deficits.
Ethiopia - November 2019
Food security analysis conducted in six regions of Ethiopia indicates that, despite ongoing assistance, an estimated 8 million people (27% of the 28.7 million people analysed) were severely food insecure in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or worse between July and September 2019. Of these, about 6.1 million people were classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and about 1.9 million people in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency).
Afghanistan - November 2019
Between October 2019 and February 2020, it is estimated that over 1 million people are in an Emergency food security situation (IPC Phase 4) and over 2.6 million people are in a Crisis food security situation (IPC Phase 3), representing approximately 3.7 million people in need of urgent action to protect and save lives and livelihoods.
Haiti - October 2019
Between October 2019 and February 2020, it is estimated that over 1 million people are in an Emergency food security situation (IPC Phase 4) and over 2.6 million people are in a Crisis food security situation (IPC Phase 3), representing approximately 3.7 million people in need of urgent action to protect and save lives and livelihoods.
Central African Republic - June 2019
Despite the signing of the Khartoum peace agreement, the security situation remains precarious throughout the country, mainly in the Haut-Kotto, Haut Mbomou and Basse-Kotto prefectures where non-signatory armed groups continue their incursions on major supply routes and around major cities.
Zimbabwe - February 2019
The current food insecurity is driven by multiple shocks, including climate and economic shocks. During the lean season, households deplete their cereal stock and usually depend on the market. Food prices are currently 50 to 150% above the five year average and are expected to keep increasing throughout the lean season, with extremely negative effects on households’ financial access to food.
South Sudan - February-April 2019
In the current analysis period of January 2019, 6.17 million people (54% of the population) are estimated to have faced Crisis (IPC Phase 3) acute food insecurity or worse, out of which 1.36 million people faced Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity and 30,000 faced Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5).
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