east africa hunger crisis

Communities across Africa are experiencing the worst food crisis seen in 40 years. With more than 46 million people experiencing food insecurity as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, challenges are still escalating further. Crop production has decreased by 70% and there have been an estimated 7 million livestock deaths.

The war in Ukraine has led to devastating price increases of grains and other food imports to the region across Africa. Countries in East Africa import 90% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine

The prices of basic cooking items including cooking oil and flour have doubled since the war began.

Adding immense pressure to the region, is a prolonged drought with three failed rain seasons and a fourth expected. According to the World Health Organisation, 40 million children are facing high to extremely high levels of water vulnerability. Most people in the horn of Africa rely on water being delivered, and in the areas worst hit by the drought, water is no longer affordable.

In Somalia, average water prices have increased by 85% in South Mudug, putting extreme pressure on communities. More than 671,000 people have left their homes due to the drought, in search of suitable food and water sources. It is anticipated that this shall result in almost half of Somali children under the age of five being acutely malnourished.

In Kenya the county of Mandera has witnessed a 400% increase in price, compared to January 2021 prices and over 90% of open water sources are either depleted or dried up. The country has declared a national disaster as 3.1 million people are now experiencing acute hunger, which is having devastating impacts.

This combined with regional conflicts, is putting extreme pressure on communities across the region and leading to devastating famine.