Areas of Highest Concern
Conflict events have declined, but periodically affect trade, humanitarian access, and livelihoods. The loss of livelihood assets during the conflict has reduced household food and income sources and eroded coping capacity. Very poor macroeconomic conditions constrain household market access.
In February, there remains a risk that easterly winds will push locusts in adjacent areas of Kenya into southeastern South Sudan.
Protracted conflict has severely disrupted livelihoods and reduced income-earning. Food prices remain elevated and food access is inadequate for many households. Currently, 17 million people are in need of humanitarian food assistance.
The Yemeni Rial continues to depreciate, while food imports through the Red Sea Ports declined in January for the third consecutive month.
Boko Haram attacks continue in the northeast, and insecurity in the northwest and central states are causing displacement of households and limiting access to livelihoods. Over 2.5 million people are currently internally displaced in these regions.
Conflict appears to be intensifying in northeastern Nigeria.
Other Areas of Concern
Due to very poor macroeconomic conditions and the expected two consecutive poor seasons, atypically high humanitarian assistance needs are expected to continue throughout 2020.
Heavy rainfall in early February led to flooding in areas of the country and decreased rainfall deficits; however, only had some positive impact cropping conditions.
Consecutive years of poorly distributed rains and drought conditions and the likely poor 2019/20 rainy season is expected to lead to production losses and deteriorated livestock conditions for smallholders in parts of the region.
Despite favorable early February rainfall in parts of the region, concern remains for maize and sorghum crops across Zimbabwe, Lesotho, southern Zambia, and Mozambique, and parts of Namibia.
The deteriorating security situation is disrupting household access to livelihoods and markets. At least 910,000 people are displaced throughout the region.
As of mid-January, more than 910,000 people were displaced in the region, over 570,000 of whom were in Burkina Faso.
Ongoing conflicts in the Kasai region, North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Maniema, and Tanganyika Provinces have caused continuing displacement and affected households’ abilities to access typical livelihood activities.
WHO has declared that the Ebola outbreak in DRC is still a public health emergency of international concern, despite a recent decline in new cases.
The 2019 Deyr/short rains season was exceptionally above average, resulting in widespread river and flash floods. In some areas, this has slowed recovery from the previous 2018/19 and 2016/17 droughts.
Cross-border locust swarm movements between Kenya and Ethiopia are ongoing, and swarms have now reached Turkana. In Somalia, breeding is underway in central and northeastern areas.
Areas of Highest Concern
| Country or Region | Reason for Concern | Observations |
|---|---|---|
| South Sudan |
Conflict events have declined, but periodically affect trade, humanitarian access, and livelihoods. The loss of livelihood assets during the conflict has reduced household food and income sources and eroded coping capacity. Very poor macroeconomic conditions constrain household market access. |
In February, there remains a risk that easterly winds will push locusts in adjacent areas of Kenya into southeastern South Sudan. |
| Yemen |
Protracted conflict has severely disrupted livelihoods and reduced income-earning. Food prices remain elevated and food access is inadequate for many households. Currently, 17 million people are in need of humanitarian food assistance. |
The Yemeni Rial continues to depreciate, while food imports through the Red Sea Ports declined in January for the third consecutive month. |
| Nigeria |
Boko Haram attacks continue in the northeast, and insecurity in the northwest and central states are causing displacement of households and limiting access to livelihoods. Over 2.5 million people are currently internally displaced in these regions. |
Conflict appears to be intensifying in northeastern Nigeria. |
Other Areas of Concern
| Country or Region | Reason for Concern | Observations |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe |
Due to very poor macroeconomic conditions and the expected two consecutive poor seasons, atypically high humanitarian assistance needs are expected to continue throughout 2020. |
Heavy rainfall in early February led to flooding in areas of the country and decreased rainfall deficits; however, only had some positive impact cropping conditions. |
| Southern Africa |
Consecutive years of poorly distributed rains and drought conditions and the likely poor 2019/20 rainy season is expected to lead to production losses and deteriorated livestock conditions for smallholders in parts of the region. |
Despite favorable early February rainfall in parts of the region, concern remains for maize and sorghum crops across Zimbabwe, Lesotho, southern Zambia, and Mozambique, and parts of Namibia. |
| Bordering areas of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali |
The deteriorating security situation is disrupting household access to livelihoods and markets. At least 910,000 people are displaced throughout the region. |
As of mid-January, more than 910,000 people were displaced in the region, over 570,000 of whom were in Burkina Faso. |
| DRC |
Ongoing conflicts in the Kasai region, North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Maniema, and Tanganyika Provinces have caused continuing displacement and affected households’ abilities to access typical livelihood activities. |
WHO has declared that the Ebola outbreak in DRC is still a public health emergency of international concern, despite a recent decline in new cases. |
| Horn of Africa |
The 2019 Deyr/short rains season was exceptionally above average, resulting in widespread river and flash floods. In some areas, this has slowed recovery from the previous 2018/19 and 2016/17 droughts. |
Cross-border locust swarm movements between Kenya and Ethiopia are ongoing, and swarms have now reached Turkana. In Somalia, breeding is underway in central and northeastern areas. |
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The Famine Early Warning Systems Network is a leading provider of early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by USAID in 1985 to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on some 28 countries. Implementing team members include NASA, NOAA, USDA, and USGS, along with Chemonics International Inc. and Kimetrica. Read more about our work.
