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Areas of Highest Concern

Reason for Concern

The ongoing 2.5-year drought is the most extensive and persistent drought event in decades, leading to crop failure, millions of livestock deaths, water scarcity, and soaring staple food prices. A sixth below-average rainy season is forecast in early 2023, which will likely prolong this humanitarian emergency until the next rains in late 2023.

Current Observations

Multi-sectoral humanitarian interventions have scaled up in response to the severe impacts of the historic five-season drought. In Somalia, an average of 5.4 million people per month received food assistance from October to December 2022. In Ethiopia’s Somali Region, the last food assistance distribution round reached 2.3 million people by December.

Northern Ethiopia

Reason for Concern

The peace agreement, which was formalized in early November 2022, has allowed for increased humanitarian assistance and the re-establishment of basic services; however, recovery of severely eroded livelihoods in Tigray, Afar, and Amhara will not occur quickly.

Current Observations

In early 2023, humanitarians continue to expand food assistance distributions to reach more people across Afar, Amhara, and Tigray. However, operations remain constrained in localized, hard-to-reach areas – mostly along the border of Eritrea – due to landmines.

South Sudan

Reason for Concern

Extensive flooding for the fourth consecutive year, coupled with ongoing conflict amidst deteriorating economic conditions, is driving persistently high levels of acute food insecurity in the country. Of particular concern are populations in areas with concurrent insecurity and floods, notably Jonglei and central Unity.

Current Observations

Amid recent, brief lulls in conflict in Upper Nile, Jonglei, and Pibor, humanitarians have been able to reach thousands of displaced people and pre-position food for the upcoming lean season. However, there is a high likelihood of renewed violence and displacement.

Other Areas of Concern

Yemen

Reason for Concern

Protracted conflict has severely disrupted livelihoods and reduced income-earning opportunities. Prices are significantly above average and food access is inadequate for many households. A significant share of the population depends on humanitarian food assistance as a main source of food.

Current Observations

Given the significant loss of oil export revenue since October, the internationally-recognized government raised the customs exchange rate in January in an effort to raise funds. Although key staple food prices are exempt, food prices still rose by over 10 percent in the following days.

Burkina Faso

Reason for Concern

Conflict and insecurity are eroding household livelihoods and market functioning, especially in the north. In some northern provinces, armed groups have intensified their efforts to blockade and isolate communities. As of November 2022, more than 1.7 million people have been displaced.

Current Observations

The blockade of Djibo – located in Soum province – persists, and markets are only supplied via military escort every few months. There are reports of food shortages, and staple food prices range from 400 to 650 percent above average.

Areas of Highest Concern

Country or Region	Reason for Concern	Observations
Horn of Africa	The ongoing 2.5-year drought is the most extensive and persistent drought event in decades, leading to crop failure, millions of livestock deaths, water scarcity, and soaring staple food prices. A sixth below-average rainy season is forecast in early 2023, which will likely prolong this humanitarian emergency until the next rains in late 2023.	Multi-sectoral humanitarian interventions have scaled up in response to the severe impacts of the historic five-season drought. In Somalia, an average of 5.4 million people per month received food assistance from October to December 2022. In Ethiopia’s Somali Region, the last food assistance distribution round reached 2.3 million people by December.
Northern Ethiopia	The peace agreement, which was formalized in early November 2022, has allowed for increased humanitarian assistance and the re-establishment of basic services; however, recovery of severely eroded livelihoods in Tigray, Afar, and Amhara will not occur quickly.	In early 2023, humanitarians continue to expand food assistance distributions to reach more people across Afar, Amhara, and Tigray. However, operations remain constrained in localized, hard-to-reach areas – mostly along the border of Eritrea – due to landmines.
South Sudan	Extensive flooding for the fourth consecutive year, coupled with ongoing conflict amidst deteriorating economic conditions, is driving persistently high levels of acute food insecurity in the country. Of particular concern are populations in areas with concurrent insecurity and floods, notably Jonglei and central Unity.	Amid recent, brief lulls in conflict in Upper Nile, Jonglei, and Pibor, humanitarians have been able to reach thousands of displaced people and pre-position food for the upcoming lean season. However, there is a high likelihood of renewed violence and displacement.

Other Areas of Concern

Country or Region	Reason for Concern	Observations
Yemen	Protracted conflict has severely disrupted livelihoods and reduced income-earning opportunities. Prices are significantly above average and food access is inadequate for many households. A significant share of the population depends on humanitarian food assistance as a main source of food.	Given the significant loss of oil export revenue since October, the internationally-recognized government raised the customs exchange rate in January in an effort to raise funds. Although key staple food prices are exempt, food prices still rose by over 10 percent in the following days.
Burkina Faso	Conflict and insecurity are eroding household livelihoods and market functioning, especially in the north. In some northern provinces, armed groups have intensified their efforts to blockade and isolate communities. As of November 2022, more than 1.7 million people have been displaced.	The blockade of Djibo – located in Soum province – persists, and markets are only supplied via military escort every few months. There are reports of food shortages, and staple food prices range from 400 to 650 percent above average.