Situation Report: Greater Horn of Africa Food Insecurity and Health - Grade 3 Emergency— 10 October 2022 - 14 November 2022

Overview

•  The humanitarian crisis in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHoA) continues as a large part of the region is battling the worst drought in at least 40 years, while other parts face flooding and conflict.
• In the Horn of Africa, a 5th consecutive season of drought has been set in motion by a poor start of the October - December rainy season, and below-average rainfall is also considered likely to continue during the March - May 2023 season.
• Immediate global action is required to prevent the highest level of food insecurity in the GHoA. More than 46 people million are estimated to be food insecure in the GHoA and out of those more than 361,000 people are facing IPC phase 5 (Somalia and Kenya).
• Rapidly rising numbers of both severe and moderate acute malnutrition admissions are recorded into nutrition programs; a dramatic increase compared to previous years.
• Analysis of the seven countries in the GHoA recorded 39 reported outbreaks, flooding and other acute public health events between 1 January and 30 October 2022.
• Numerous disease outbreaks are continuing or newly reported, with multiple countries dealing with active measles and cholera outbreaks.
• Other outbreaks of concern include mpox (monkeypox), anthrax, dengue, Sudan Ebola Virus (SUDV) and hepatitis E. Countries are conducting vaccination campaigns to control outbreaks. Elevated caseloads of malaria are reported in areas with above average rainfall in various countries.
• Although vaccination coverage for children under 5 years is not optimal in many areas of the GHoA, countries are making an intensified effort to scale up population immunization through routine administration and additional campaigns, in particular for vulnerable populations due to the food insecurity crisis.
• WHO continues to provide support through coordinating the work of health sector partners, scaling up its support to countries to detect, prepare for and respond to disease outbreaks, and by strengthening the provision of emergency health and nutrition services for those affected. WHO is deploying funds, personnel, technical expertise and supplies.
• Donors continue to provide financial support. However, as of 14 November, only 39% of the 123.8M WHO appeal for 2022 has been funded. Continued humanitarian assistance will be required to address the needs beyond 2022, and a rapid identification of additional funding and resources is now needed to mitigate morbidity and mortality.