Situation Report: Greater Horn of Africa Drought and Food Insecurity — 29 July 2022

Overview

Key Highlights:

• The greater Horn of Africa is facing a major humanitarian crisis due to rising food insecurity driven by a toxic mix of extreme weather events (drought, flooding), conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the war in Ukraine. 
• It is estimated that between 37 to 50.1 million people are in IPC phase 3 or above, which means that they are not consuming enough food and have high levels of malnutrition. Others are using up essential resources to support a limited diet.
• While providing food and safe water is a high priority, ensuring a strong health response to the emergency is needed to prevent morbidity and mortality. 
• Rising food insecurity contributes to increased health risks and needs: In the areas affected by food insecurity, outbreaks of communicable diseases are a major public health concern at present, especially considering the often low immunization rates 
• In the many of the affected areas, safe drinking water is scarce with increased risk of water borne diseases. As people move to find water, food and pasture for their animals, living conditions and sanitation of the community will likely decrease, further contributing to health risks.
• Loss of livelihood and food insecurity are also contributing to increased risky behavior to obtain the resources that are needed, while violence over scarce commodities increases the risk of trauma and injury. 
• WHO is coordinating the health sector to ramp up its response to avert the worst effects of food insecurity and to give people access to the health services they need. Along with countering the consequences of malnutrition, WHO is helping countries to prepare for and respond to outbreaks of diseases like cholera, measles, and malaria.
  

Download full report on the left. Read more about this emergency here