FEWS NET is monitoring the multiple impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute food insecurity in the countries where we operate and will incorporate this analysis into our ongoing reporting.


Areas of Highest Concern

Reason for Concern

Conflict events periodically affect trade, humanitarian access, and livelihoods. The loss of livelihood assets from conflict and floods has reduced household food and income sources and eroded coping capacity. Very poor macroeconomic conditions constrain household market access.

Current Observations

A risk of Famine (IPC Phase 5) persists. Southern Jonglei is of highest concern. An uptick in conflict events is reported in Central Equatoria, Warrap-Lakes border region, and Maban of Upper Nile.

Reason for Concern

Protracted conflict has severely disrupted livelihoods and reduced income-earning. Food prices remain elevated and food access is inadequate for many households. Currently, over 17 million people are in need of humanitarian food assistance.

Current Observations

Despite a temporary reduction in the intensity of conflict in January, conflict-related displacements continue, including in Al Dali, Ta’izz, and Al Hudaydah.

Reason for Concern

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.

Current Observations

Based on projections from UNOCHA,  nearly 2.0 million people are currently displaced and a steady increase in displacement is expected into mid-2021 within Nigeria.  

Other Areas of Concern

Reason for Concern

Ongoing conflicts in North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, and Tanganyika Provinces have caused continuing displacement and affected households’ abilities to access typical livelihood activities.

Current Observations

The UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO has been extended for one year until December 20, 2021, after a Security Council resolution.

Reason for Concern

In November, the significant uptick in conflict in Tigray due to tensions between the national and regional governments led to the disruption to the access of key income and food sources, such as labor migration and livestock sales. 

Current Observations

While the impacts of conflict continue to be of high concern in the Tigray Region, conflict in late December and early January in Benishangul Gumuz and SNNPR, is also of concern and led to displacement. 

Reason for Concern

The ongoing macroeconomic crisis due to persistent low foreign currency reserves and increased USD shortages coupled with high import demand for essential food and non-food items is driving the rapid deterioration of the Sudanese pound.

Current Observations

In early December, food and transport prices continued to increase. Sorghum and millet prices were approximately three times higher than last year and seven times above the five-year average.

Reason for Concern

The deteriorating security situation is disrupting household access to livelihoods and markets. More than 3,000,000 people are displaced throughout the region.

Current Observations

An attack on 2 villages in Tondikiwindi, Niger, on January 2 2021 killed 105 civilians and displaced over 10,000 people (OCHA).

Areas of Highest Concern

Country or Region Reason for Concern Observations
South Sudan

Conflict events periodically affect trade, humanitarian access, and livelihoods. The loss of livelihood assets from conflict and floods has reduced household food and income sources and eroded coping capacity. Very poor macroeconomic conditions constrain household market access.

A risk of Famine (IPC Phase 5) persists. Southern Jonglei is of highest concern. An uptick in conflict events is reported in Central Equatoria, Warrap-Lakes border region, and Maban of Upper Nile.

Yemen

Protracted conflict has severely disrupted livelihoods and reduced income-earning. Food prices remain elevated and food access is inadequate for many households. Currently, over 17 million people are in need of humanitarian food assistance.

Despite a temporary reduction in the intensity of conflict in January, conflict-related displacements continue, including in Al Dali, Ta’izz, and Al Hudaydah.

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.

Based on projections from UNOCHA,  nearly 2.0 million people are currently displaced and a steady increase in displacement is expected into mid-2021 within Nigeria.  

Other Areas of Concern

Country or Region Reason for Concern Observations
DRC

Ongoing conflicts in North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, and Tanganyika Provinces have caused continuing displacement and affected households’ abilities to access typical livelihood activities.

The UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO has been extended for one year until December 20, 2021, after a Security Council resolution.

Ethiopia

In November, the significant uptick in conflict in Tigray due to tensions between the national and regional governments led to the disruption to the access of key income and food sources, such as labor migration and livestock sales. 

While the impacts of conflict continue to be of high concern in the Tigray Region, conflict in late December and early January in Benishangul Gumuz and SNNPR, is also of concern and led to displacement. 

Sudan

The ongoing macroeconomic crisis due to persistent low foreign currency reserves and increased USD shortages coupled with high import demand for essential food and non-food items is driving the rapid deterioration of the Sudanese pound.

In early December, food and transport prices continued to increase. Sorghum and millet prices were approximately three times higher than last year and seven times above the five-year average.

Bordering areas of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali

The deteriorating security situation is disrupting household access to livelihoods and markets. More than 3,000,000 people are displaced throughout the region.

An attack on 2 villages in Tondikiwindi, Niger, on January 2 2021 killed 105 civilians and displaced over 10,000 people (OCHA).

.

FEWS NET Data Center link

Scenario development video

About FEWS NET

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 approximately 30 countries. Implementing team members include NASA, NOAA, USDA, USGS, and CHC-UCSB, along with Chemonics International Inc. and Kimetrica.
Learn more About Us.

Link to United States Agency for International Development (USAID)Link to the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) FEWS NET Data PortalLink to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Link to National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Earth ObservatoryLink to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service, Climage Prediction CenterLink to the Climate Hazards Center - UC Santa BarbaraLink to KimetricaLink to Chemonics