Food Insecurity and Hunger Crisis Deepens in Africa
Africa is currently facing a severe crisis of food insecurity and hunger, with countries in the emergency Phase 4 category being the most affected. According to the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC), the situation has reached alarming levels in countries like Sudan, Burkina Faso, Haiti, and Mali, which have recently been elevated to the highest alert level. They join Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen as hotspots requiring urgent attention and immediate interventions.
The five phases of the International Food Security Phase Classification system.
(Source: The International Food Security Phase Classification Global Partners, ‘Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Technical Manual Version 3.1’, August 2021
KEY DRIVERS
The GRFC report reveals that in 2022, the number of people experiencing acute food insecurity reached a staggering 258 million in 58 countries. This marks a significant increase from the previous year, with over a quarter of a billion people now facing acute hunger. The severity of food insecurity has also worsened, reaching 22.7 percent, up from 21.3 percent in 2021. These numbers depict a distressing trend of deteriorating global food security and an escalating humanitarian crisis.
Multiple factors contribute to the deepening food insecurity in Africa. These factors include:
Economic shocks, such as the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the repercussions of the war in Ukraine, have become the primary drivers of acute food insecurity in many countries. Poor nations have experienced a significant decrease in resilience, hampering their ability to recover and cope with future shocks.
Conflict and insecurity remain significant contributors to food crises in 19 countries. However, economic shocks have surpassed them as the main driver in protracted crisis-affected countries like Afghanistan, South Sudan, and the Syrian Arab Republic.
Weather and climate extremes, including droughts, floods, and storms, worsen food insecurity in 12 countries.
These factors have created a perfect storm, amplifying the crisis of food insecurity and hunger in Africa.
economic shocks
Economic shocks have crippled the livelihoods of vulnerable populations, making it increasingly difficult for them to access and afford nutritious food. The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, has caused disruptions to markets, leading to soaring food prices and reducing people's purchasing power. Additionally, the war in Ukraine has had far-reaching consequences, straining global food systems and exacerbating existing vulnerabilities.
According to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2023 report, the continent's economic growth is projected to weaken to 3.8 percent, down from 4.1 percent in the previous year. This decline can be attributed to subdued investment and falling exports, which have impacted various regions differently. West Africa is expected to witness a slight improvement in growth, while Central and East Africa are anticipated to stabilize. On the other hand, North and Southern Africa are likely to experience a deceleration in growth.
One significant consequence of these shocks is the significant rise in price levels across African countries. This surge in prices can be attributed to disruptions in supply chains and the fallout from the war in Ukraine, which led to a sharp increase in prices for essential food items and energy. Furthermore, the depreciation of national currencies against the US dollar has amplified inflationary pressures in the region.
The combination of these factors, coupled with low and declining growth in income per capita, paints a concerning picture for Africa's economic landscape. Income per capita is estimated to fall to 1.4 percent in 2023 after averaging 1.6 percent in the preceding years. This situation poses a significant challenge in alleviating poverty and hampers progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.
conflict and insecurity
Conflict and insecurity continue to plague numerous countries, displacing populations and disrupting agricultural activities. In regions affected by ongoing conflicts, such as Afghanistan, South Sudan, and the Syrian Arab Republic, the impacts on food security are severe. These areas face challenges in agricultural production, as well as limited access to humanitarian aid and basic services, resulting in widespread hunger and malnutrition.
Let’s take the situation of Soudan for instance.The ongoing conflict and insecurity have had severe repercussions on food insecurity and the already dire hunger crisis in the country. The fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted on 15th April has unleashed devastating consequences on civilians. As a result, the 2023 Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) has been revised to address the escalating needs triggered by the current crisis.
The revised Sudan HRP now necessitates a staggering $2.56 billion, which is an increase of $800 million from just a few months ago. This critical funding is required to provide assistance to an estimated 18 million people until the end of this year. The escalating conflict has resulted in nearly 1.4 million people being newly displaced since 15th April alone. This includes one million internally displaced persons and 330,000 individuals who have sought refuge in neighboring countries.
Amidst this grim situation, the challenges faced by humanitarian efforts have been further aggravated. In a devastating blow to the aid response, a crucial factory in Khartoum, which produced essential supplies for the treatment of malnourished children, was deliberately burned down. This incident has dealt a severe blow to the already strained capacity to address malnutrition and provide life-saving assistance to vulnerable populations.
weather and climate
The adverse effects of weather and climate extremes further compound the food crisis. Droughts lead to failed harvests, water scarcity, and livestock deaths, as seen in the Horn of Africa, while floods and storms destroy crops and infrastructure, leaving communities devastated. These climatic events disrupt food production and exacerbate the vulnerability of populations already struggling with poverty and insecurity.
Recent scientific reports have revealed the direct link between climate change and the devastating drought in the region, as well as the record-breaking temperatures experienced in the Western Mediterranean. These studies indicate that climate change has made such extreme events at least 100 times more likely.
The increased frequency and severity of droughts in the Horn of Africa can be largely attributed to climate change. The World Weather Attribution scientists estimate that droughts of this magnitude have become approximately 100 times more likely due to the influence of greenhouse gases. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for action to mitigate the effects of climate change in the region.
However, the impact of climate change on the Horn of Africa is not limited to droughts alone. It also has significant implications for food security and the well-being of communities in the region. State fragility and conflict exacerbate the effects of climate change, particularly in Somalia, where the combination of prolonged droughts and political instability has led to dire consequences for the population. Somalia faces one of the world’s most acute humanitarian crises. The country is seeing its worst drought in 40 years, famine and an ongoing armed conflict. Humanitarian agencies warn nearly 8 million people, half of the population, are in dire need of assistance.
The severity of these impacts raises serious questions about the capacity of government drought management systems and international aid infrastructure to handle future droughts effectively.
Moreover, climate change and the resulting climate-induced migration in the Horn of Africa pose serious security risks for the region. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's sixth assessment report emphasizes the grim reality of climate change in Africa. Despite contributing a minimal share of greenhouse gas emissions, the continent has already suffered significant consequences, including biodiversity loss and reduced food production. In East Africa, the frequency of droughts has doubled, further exacerbating the vulnerability of communities in the Horn of Africa.
Unfortunately, the region has received insufficient financing for climate adaptation measures. Between 2010 and 2018, most countries in the Horn of Africa received below-average climate adaptation funding per capita, despite their high vulnerability to climate change according to vulnerability indices. This lack of financial support hampers efforts to implement necessary adaptation strategies and build resilience in the face of climate-related challenges.
Additionally, the Horn of Africa's unique characteristics make it highly susceptible to climate change. The region is home to vast drylands, numerous pastoralist communities, and unresolved transboundary water-rights issues. It also has a history marked by natural disasters, famines, and conflicts, which further complicates the response to climate-related threats. The formation of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in 1986 was a direct response to address drought and desertification in the region. Over time, the organization's mandate expanded to include peace and security concerns due to the interconnected nature of these issues.
The Horn of Africa is particularly hard-hit within the continent
The Horn of Africa is particularly hard-hit within the continent. Countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan are grappling with severe hunger and food insecurity. The IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) warns of a risk of famine in certain areas of Somalia between April and June 2023. In total, the World Health Organization estimates that 46 million people across seven countries - Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda - are experiencing crisis or worse levels of food insecurity.
Somalia faces an especially dire situation, with the World Food Programme (WFP) warning of catastrophic hunger. The IPC estimates that the most affected areas of Somalia could witness 223,000 people in the catastrophe phase (IPC phase 5) through mid-2023. In Ethiopia, millions of people require food assistance due to a two-year conflict and drought in the southern Somali region. Kenya has declared a national disaster due to drought, with an estimated 4.4 million people facing crisis levels of food insecurity.
Sudan is dealing with ongoing unrest and insecurity, further exacerbating people's access to food. The World Food Programme has temporarily suspended operations in the country. Similarly, South Sudan is facing unprecedented flooding crises in certain regions, while others are grappling with devastating droughts.
Addressing the crisis of food insecurity and hunger in Africa's emergency Phase 4 countries necessitates immediate interventions and sustainable solutions. The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Dongyu Qu, emphasizes the importance of interventions in the agricultural sector to pull people out of the brink of hunger, rebuild their lives, and address the root causes of food insecurity.
To respond effectively to this crisis, international support and funding are crucial. The World Health Organization has appealed for $178 million in funding to provide humanitarian assistance in the affected countries. Additionally, the World Food Programme continues to play a critical role in delivering food assistance and addressing the immediate needs of millions of people facing hunger.
