Food security Emergencies continue in Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Yemen

Following the worst drought in more than 50 years, a major food security Emergency continues in eastern and central Ethiopia. Poor 2015 rainfall, largely attributable to the ongoing El Niño, has severely reduced agricultural and pastoral resource production. Poor households in southern Afar and northern Somali Regions are already experiencing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity, and the breadth and severity of impacts in central and eastern Ethiopia are expected to expand through much of 2016.

Protracted conflict in South Sudan, Burundi, parts of Sudan, and Yemen continues to contribute to high levels of displacement within and beyond national borders. By mid-December, an estimated 5.1 million had been displaced by conflict in South Sudan, Burundi, and Yemen in addition to the already 195,000 people displaced in Darfur and Blue Nile states in Sudan. Productive capacities are limited as most displaced have lost their land, shelter, livestock, food stocks, and farm assets.

In South Sudan, food insecurity worsens in conflict-affected areas in the Greater Upper Nile states, especially Unity. Worst-affected areas are in Guit, Koch, Leer, and Mayendit counties, in Unity state. Many households are displaced, isolated and have little or no access to typical food sources, markets, water and sanitation, humanitarian assistance, and protection. Insecurity and sporadic conflict has also spread to relatively more secure areas, including the Greater Equatoria states, Lakes, and Warrap.

Across much of the east of the region, well above-normal October to December rainfall attributable to the ongoing El Niño has sustained favourable agricultural production prospects for late 2015 and the first quarter of 2016. However, El Niño-related dryness in eastern Sudan, pastoral and agropastoral areas of Somalia, as well as in Ethiopia, has significantly impacted production for many. Access to food and income is expected to deteriorate markedly in many of these areas.

For more detailed analysis, see the Regional Food Security Outlook for November 2015.