Famine Early Warning Systems Network

Areas of Highest Concern

Since November 2020, conflict and insecurity in northern Ethiopia have driven large-scale displacement, significantly disrupted poor households’ engagement in livelihood activities, and limited humanitarian access, with the impacts most stark in Tigray.

Despite humanitarian resources reaching Tigray, food aid distributions are still not sufficient to meet the need with only 27 percent of the 6.3 million people caseload between mid-October and May 18.

A third consecutive below-average rainfall season in late 2021 led to significant crop and livestock losses, alongside water shortages and sharply rising staple food prices. A forecast of a fourth below-average season in early 2022 raises the likelihood of severe impacts on food availability and access.

The 2022 gu/long rains is turning into one of the driest seasons on record. Critical levels of acute malnutrition are already widespread, Extremely Critical levels are present in several areas, and there is an increasing concern for hunger-related mortality. 

Political and intercommunal conflict continues to disrupt livelihoods, trade, and humanitarian access. Recurrent, extensive floods since 2019 have further eroded household food and income sources. Poor macroeconomic conditions also exacerbate low access to food.

A cholera outbreak is occurring in Rubkona county in Unity state. The risk of transmission is very high in six additional counties in Unity. Household hunger is already severe, and rising disease incidence could lead to worsening acute malnutrition levels.

Other Areas of Concern

Severe drought conditions persisted throughout the rainy season in the southwest and across the Grand South, severely reducing maize crop expectations. In the first quarter of 2022, multiple cyclone and tropical storm strikes across the island caused additional crop and infrastructure damage.

The drought is estimated to have significantly reduced maize harvests in the Grand South. In addition, extremely poor soil moisture conditions in these areas are likely to negatively impact upcoming root and tuber harvests.

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

In May, India excluded Yemen from its wheat export ban and Saudi Arabia agreed to transfer 174 million USD to the Central Bank in Aden as an extension of the previous financial deposit. Despite these actions to support importation, staple food prices are expected to continue increasing.

The deteriorating security situation is disrupting household access to livelihoods and markets. More than 1.8 million people are displaced in Burkina Faso.

Conflict has continued to expand in Burkina Faso, toward the border with Togo and Benin. On May 25th, extremist armed groups attacked the municipality of Madjoari, in the East region of Burkina Faso, killing about 50 people.  

Although conflict has somewhat decreased in the Northeast, concern remains high as years of insecurity have eroded livelihoods. In the Northwest and Northcentral, conflict is expected to be high, driving further displacement. Poor macroeconomic conditions constrain poor households’ purchasing power. 

Continued conflict and banditry in the Northwest and Northcentral states is of increasing concern as there are reports households have had all their livestock looted and limited ability to engage in the upcoming agricultural season.

Areas of Highest Concern

Since November 2020, conflict and insecurity in northern Ethiopia have driven large-scale displacement, significantly disrupted poor households’ engagement in livelihood activities, and limited humanitarian access, with the impacts most stark in Tigray.

Despite humanitarian resources reaching Tigray, food aid distributions are still not sufficient to meet the need with only 27 percent of the 6.3 million people caseload between mid-October and May 18.

A third consecutive below-average rainfall season in late 2021 led to significant crop and livestock losses, alongside water shortages and sharply rising staple food prices. A forecast of a fourth below-average season in early 2022 raises the likelihood of severe impacts on food availability and access.

The 2022 gu/long rains is turning into one of the driest seasons on record. Critical levels of acute malnutrition are already widespread, Extremely Critical levels are present in several areas, and there is an increasing concern for hunger-related mortality. 

Political and intercommunal conflict continues to disrupt livelihoods, trade, and humanitarian access. Recurrent, extensive floods since 2019 have further eroded household food and income sources. Poor macroeconomic conditions also exacerbate low access to food.

A cholera outbreak is occurring in Rubkona county in Unity state. The risk of transmission is very high in six additional counties in Unity. Household hunger is already severe, and rising disease incidence could lead to worsening acute malnutrition levels.

Other Areas of Concern

Severe drought conditions persisted throughout the rainy season in the southwest and across the Grand South, severely reducing maize crop expectations. In the first quarter of 2022, multiple cyclone and tropical storm strikes across the island caused additional crop and infrastructure damage.

The drought is estimated to have significantly reduced maize harvests in the Grand South. In addition, extremely poor soil moisture conditions in these areas are likely to negatively impact upcoming root and tuber harvests.

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

In May, India excluded Yemen from its wheat export ban and Saudi Arabia agreed to transfer 174 million USD to the Central Bank in Aden as an extension of the previous financial deposit. Despite these actions to support importation, staple food prices are expected to continue increasing.

The deteriorating security situation is disrupting household access to livelihoods and markets. More than 1.8 million people are displaced in Burkina Faso.

Conflict has continued to expand in Burkina Faso, toward the border with Togo and Benin. On May 25th, extremist armed groups attacked the municipality of Madjoari, in the East region of Burkina Faso, killing about 50 people.  

Although conflict has somewhat decreased in the Northeast, concern remains high as years of insecurity have eroded livelihoods. In the Northwest and Northcentral, conflict is expected to be high, driving further displacement. Poor macroeconomic conditions constrain poor households’ purchasing power. 

Continued conflict and banditry in the Northwest and Northcentral states is of increasing concern as there are reports households have had all their livestock looted and limited ability to engage in the upcoming agricultural season.

Food Security Alerts

Somalia faces Risk of Famine (IPC Phase 5) as acute malnutrition and mortality levels rise

Increasing hunger-related mortality likely due to historic drought and unresolved conflict

As an already historic four-season drought drives widespread need, a fifth poor season is now forecast

View more...

Special Reports

Despite improvements in labor and income, the coffee sector’s recovery remains slow

Income from the harvest will not be enough to support the economic recovery of day laborer households

Illustrating the extent and severity of consecutive droughts, 2014/15 to 2019/20 seasons

View more...

Horn of Africa

Press Release: June 13, 2022
Joint Statement: June 9, 2022
Joint Alert: May 30, 2022

The Horn of Africa faces an exceptional prolonged and persistent agro-pastoral drought sequence.

For more, see FEWS NET's Horn of Africa page

The Ukraine Crisis

Read FEWS NET's latest analysis of the Ukraine Crisis.

Press Release: War in Ukraine Likely to Exacerbate Food Insecurity in FEWS NET-Monitored Countries

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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.
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