Areas of Highest 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.
Food insecurity is worsening during the lean season. A resurgence of violence in Pibor in May has reportedly displaced up to 20,000 people and suspended food assistance delivery.
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.
The lack of announcement of a new letter of credit cycle—usually quarterly—since January has increased traders’ reliance on the parallel market for hard currency, with food prices expected to increase further in the coming months.
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 in Northwestern Nigeria continues at elevated levels, driving high levels of displacement and disruption to livelihoods. MSF recently indicated high concern for areas of Zamfara state where there has been a significant increase in acute malnutrition.
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.
According to IOM, over 1.6 million people are displaced across surveyed accessible areas in Tigray where nearly half of the assessed sites have not received food distribution.
Other Areas of 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.
The volcanic eruption of the Nyiragongo has led to the displacement of more than 400,000 (OIM) people and is affecting the livelihoods of households depending on the informal sector in Goma.
The ongoing macroeconomic crisis due to persistent low foreign exchange reserves and increasing shortages of US dollars, coupled with high demand for imports of essential food and non-food items, is driving the rapid deterioration of the Sudanese pound.
Fuel and transport prices continue to remain high. Staple food prices are approximately double compared to last year and 400-500 percent above the five-year average.
The deteriorating security situation is disrupting household access to livelihoods and markets. More than 3,000,000 people are displaced throughout the region.
Food prices remain above average due to trade flow disruptions from COVID-19 and insecurity, and above-average institutional demand.
Consecutive poor rainfall seasons including drought conditions for the 2020/21 season are expected to reduce agricultural production and food availability.
Staple food prices remain above average. Production prospects for the main harvest remain below average, particularly across the south.
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. |
Food insecurity is worsening during the lean season. A resurgence of violence in Pibor in May has reportedly displaced up to 20,000 people and suspended food assistance delivery. |
| 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. |
The lack of announcement of a new letter of credit cycle—usually quarterly—since January has increased traders’ reliance on the parallel market for hard currency, with food prices expected to increase further in the coming months. |
| 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 in Northwestern Nigeria continues at elevated levels, driving high levels of displacement and disruption to livelihoods. MSF recently indicated high concern for areas of Zamfara state where there has been a significant increase in acute malnutrition. |
| 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. |
According to IOM, over 1.6 million people are displaced across surveyed accessible areas in Tigray where nearly half of the assessed sites have not received food distribution. |
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 volcanic eruption of the Nyiragongo has led to the displacement of more than 400,000 (OIM) people and is affecting the livelihoods of households depending on the informal sector in Goma. |
| Sudan |
The ongoing macroeconomic crisis due to persistent low foreign exchange reserves and increasing shortages of US dollars, coupled with high demand for imports of essential food and non-food items, is driving the rapid deterioration of the Sudanese pound. |
Fuel and transport prices continue to remain high. Staple food prices are approximately double compared to last year and 400-500 percent 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. |
Food prices remain above average due to trade flow disruptions from COVID-19 and insecurity, and above-average institutional demand. |
| Southern Madagascar |
Consecutive poor rainfall seasons including drought conditions for the 2020/21 season are expected to reduce agricultural production and food availability. |
Staple food prices remain above average. Production prospects for the main harvest remain below average, particularly across the south. |
Food Security Alerts
Special Reports
Latest News
Quick Links
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.
