Acute hunger crisis in East Africa
Millions in need of humanitarian aid
The people of the Horn of Africa, East and Central Africa are facing a deeply alarming hunger crisis. Extreme climatic conditions have caused widespread food and water shortages and more than 45 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. One person currently dies of hunger every 36 seconds and over six million children are facing, or already suffering from, acute malnutrition.
Oxfam is on the ground and together with our partners we are taking action to help the people who need our support. But the situation is urgent and we need to reach many more people. Your support is needed to make it happen.
Your support saves lives
A combination of extreme climatic conditions, covid-19 and conflict
Rapid climate change has meant uncertain rainy seasons in the Horn of Africa and East and Central Africa. This has caused severe drought and exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in a region plagued by conflict, covid-19 and the worst invasion of locusts in 70 years.
Amina, 50, came to Gunagado camp in search of food and water when drought had killed her livestock and disease outbreaks threatened her family.
Many harvests have failed and millions of livestock - on which nomadic families depend for food and livelihoods - are emaciated or dead. More than 13 million people have been displaced in search of water and pasture, while millions more have been forced to flee their farmlands and homes by conflict.
In Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan, nearly 30 million people are now at risk of extreme hunger, and more than 45 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. The impact of the war in Ukraine on global food systems, energy prices and the global economy means that the situation could deteriorate further.
"In my 40 years, I have never seen anything like what is happening here in Akobo. In the last four years there has been either flooding, drought, famine, violence or covid-19. It's just too much. I am tired of living. If it continues like this, I doubt my girls will grow up."
- Nyadang Martha, from Akobo in South Sudan
Millions in need of urgent help
Kenya
In Kenya, crop production has fallen by 70% and the country has declared a national disaster. 1.4 million livestock deaths have been recorded. 3.1 million people are living in acute hunger and in need of assistance. Women and children are hardest hit, with gender-based violence and child marriage on the rise.
Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, food availability has not been so uncertain since 2016 and 9.4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. In the Somali region alone, water and food shortages are critical for 3.5 million people. Nearly a million animals have died, leaving nomads, who rely entirely on livestock for their survival, with nothing to live on.
Somalia
90% of Somalia is affected by severe drought, the worst in nearly half a century. People are struggling to survive the worst hunger crisis in living memory and a famine is close to breaking out. The lack of access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation facilities has increased the risks of water-borne diseases and gender-based violence. 7.7 million people, over half the population, are in need of humanitarian assistance and almost half of all children under five are acutely malnourished. The number of people living in famine-like conditions is already higher than during the 2011 famine, when more than a quarter of a million people died.
South Sudan
In South Sudan, unseasonal rains have caused widespread flooding over the past five years, displacing hundreds of thousands of people. Infrastructure has been destroyed, affecting agricultural production and livelihoods. Over 70% of the population - 8.3 million people - are in need of humanitarian assistance.
This is what Oxfam does
Together with our partners, we help millions of people with life-saving services in the region. Our goal is to reach over 1.5 million people with emergency food, clean water, sanitation, cash assistance, shelter and shelter.
We also help communities become more resilient to climate change, working on building programmes and providing sustainable and lasting solutions for the future. Read more about our work on climate justice here.
More than 30 million people in the region are at risk of extreme hunger if the drought continues. People need your help! The easiest, and most cost-effective, way to help people affected by crises is to become a monthly donor. By doing so, you ensure that we can plan our work for the long term and help where the needs are greatest.
