An estimated 27 million people or 24 percent of the total food insecure people of the world live in east Africa, a report released on Monday by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has revealed.
The regional bloc’s Food Security Information Network (FSIN) said 27 million people who affected by food insecurity live in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda.
According to the report, climatic shocks, conflict and economic instability were the main drivers of food insecurity in East Africa.
The worst-affected countries in 2018 in terms of acute food insecurity were Ethiopia (8.1 million), Sudan (6.2 million) and South Sudan (6.1 million).
In South Sudan, 59% of the population, or six out of ten people required urgent assistance to protect livelihoods, reduce food consumption gaps and malnutrition. In Somalia, more than one in five people (or 22% of the population) were acutely food insecure.
“The main drivers of acute food insecurity and malnutrition in our region are climate, conflict and economic instability. I call on IGAD specialized offices, Member States and partners to invest further in resilience, adaptation to climate change, conflict prevention and sustaining peace to overcome vulnerability and address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition” said Ambassador Mahboub Maalim, IGAD Executive Secretary at the launch.
The regional report serves as an important milestone towards delivering the commitment of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to fight acute hunger and malnutrition in the region.
The aggregate number of acutely food insecure has increased every year since 2017, the report added.
The worst-affected countries in 2018 in terms of number of people in acute food insecurity were Ethiopia (8.1 million), Sudan (6.2 million) and South Sudan (6.1 million).
As in 2018, below-average rains, conflict and economic crisis continue to drive food insecurity, the report added.
Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan are expected to remain among the world’s most severe food crisis in terms of people affected.
In comparison to peak 2018 levels, updated projections for 2019 as of July indicate that food insecurity levels will likely be higher in South Sudan and Sudan, remain stable in Ethiopia and Uganda, and be lower in Kenya and Somalia.
MG/as/APA