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.
Deficit 2020 crop production and the sharp depreciation of the SSP are compounding the impact of floods, conflict, and the long-term macroeconomic crisis.
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.
Low levels of government revenue and severe foreign currency shortages remain of high concern. Depreciation of the currency and fuel shortages continue to drive food price increases in some areas.
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.
The Nigerian economy has now formally fallen into its second recession in five-years as GDP contracted for a second consecutive quarter.
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 gradual reopening of the borders is expected to progressively improve access to income for poor households in Eastern DRC.
Due to very poor macroeconomic conditions and the expected two consecutive poor seasons, atypically high humanitarian assistance needs are expected to continue throughout 2020.
The annual inflation rate in Zimbabwe, which started to decline in August, continues to do so, with the October inflation rate around 471 percent; however, inflation remains among the highest globally.
The deteriorating security situation is disrupting household access to livelihoods and markets. More than 3,000,000 people are displaced throughout the region.
Between July and October 2020, the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Menaka, Mali has increased by over 50 percent due to insecurity along the Mali-Niger border.
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.
In Ethiopia, conflict in Tigray is driving large-scale displacement of refugees into eastern Sudan. In northeastern Somalia, Tropical Cyclone Gati caused severe flash floods and displaced thousands of people in mid-November.
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. |
Deficit 2020 crop production and the sharp depreciation of the SSP are compounding the impact of floods, conflict, and the long-term macroeconomic crisis. |
| 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. |
Low levels of government revenue and severe foreign currency shortages remain of high concern. Depreciation of the currency and fuel shortages continue to drive food price increases in some areas. |
| 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. |
The Nigerian economy has now formally fallen into its second recession in five-years as GDP contracted for a second consecutive quarter. |
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 gradual reopening of the borders is expected to progressively improve access to income for poor households in Eastern DRC. |
| 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. |
The annual inflation rate in Zimbabwe, which started to decline in August, continues to do so, with the October inflation rate around 471 percent; however, inflation remains among the highest globally. |
| 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. |
Between July and October 2020, the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Menaka, Mali has increased by over 50 percent due to insecurity along the Mali-Niger border. |
| 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. |
In Ethiopia, conflict in Tigray is driving large-scale displacement of refugees into eastern Sudan. In northeastern Somalia, Tropical Cyclone Gati caused severe flash floods and displaced thousands of people in mid-November. |
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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 approximately 30 countries. Implementing team members include NASA, NOAA, USDA, USGS, and CHC-UCSB, along with Chemonics International Inc. and Kimetrica.
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