By Catherine Muema
Over 42 million people across six-member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are facing severe food insecurity this year, according to the IGAD Regional Focus of the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) released today.
The report paints a grim picture of widespread hunger and malnutrition in Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda — marking one of the most severe regional food crises in recent history.
The findings reveal that the number of people experiencing Crisis levels of acute food insecurity or worse (IPC Phase 3 and above) has more than tripled over the past decade. In five countries with consistent data since 2016 — Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda — the population facing high food insecurity rose from 13.9 million in 2016 to 41.7 million in 2025.
Sudan and South Sudan at the Epicenter of the Crisis
The report identifies Sudan and South Sudan as the epicenters of hunger in the IGAD region. Sudan currently hosts the largest food-insecure population, with 24.6 million people struggling to meet basic food needs and several areas facing Famine or risk of Famine.
In South Sudan, 57 percent of the population is classified in IPC Phase 3 or higher — the highest proportion in the region — with two counties on the brink of famine.
The escalating conflict in Sudan has triggered widespread displacement and disrupted agricultural production, while prolonged insecurity in South Sudan continues to cripple livelihoods and limit humanitarian access.
A Web of Drivers: Conflict, Climate, and Economic Shocks
The report underscores that the drivers of food insecurity in the IGAD region are deeply interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Ongoing conflicts, economic challenges, and climate extremes have eroded livelihoods, increased vulnerability, and reversed hard-won development gains.
The situation is expected to deteriorate further as climate projections by IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) indicate drier-than-usual conditions in southern Ethiopia, eastern Kenya, and much of Somalia.
Some of these areas, including central and northern Somalia, have already suffered below-average rainfall and lingering drought conditions. Another poor rainy season could drive even more severe hunger and malnutrition in already fragile communities.
Children and Displaced Populations Among the Worst Affected
Acute malnutrition levels remain alarmingly high across the region. The report estimates that 11.4 million children under five are acutely malnourished across seven IGAD member states, with 3.1 million requiring urgent, life-saving treatment for severe acute malnutrition. Funding shortages, however, threaten to leave an estimated one million children without access to critical treatment and nutrition support.
The crisis is compounded by mass displacement. The IGAD region now hosts the largest forcibly displaced population globally — 23.2 million people, including 17.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 5.4 million refugees and asylum seekers. Sudan alone accounts for nearly 10 million IDPs, the highest figure worldwide, while Uganda continues to host Africa’s largest refugee population, exceeding 1.9 million people.
Displaced communities face some of the harshest food security outcomes due to disrupted livelihoods, the collapse of social safety networks, and overreliance on overstretched humanitarian aid systems.
Leaders Call for Collective Action and Long-Term Solutions
Speaking at the report’s launch, H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD’s Executive Secretary, emphasized that the crisis transcends hunger, calling it “a stark reminder of the interconnected challenges our region faces.” He added:
“Conflict, climate change, economic shocks, and displacement are reinforcing each other. No single institution can tackle these crises alone. Through collective action — uniting governments, regional institutions, and partners — we can address the root causes of vulnerability and create lasting solutions for our people.”
Farayi Zimudzi, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa (ad interim), echoed the urgency for both immediate and long-term interventions:
“The situation is worsening, especially among rural agricultural communities. With another poor rainy season expected, we must act now to protect rural livelihoods through anticipatory and preventive measures. But beyond emergency responses, investment in sustainable agriculture and resilience is essential to end the cycle of hunger.”
Eric Perdison, WFP’s Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, warned of the unprecedented scale of hunger in the region:
“More people are going hungry than the entire population of many countries elsewhere. In Sudan, famine is already unfolding. While saving lives must remain the priority, we must also strengthen resilience to help communities become self-reliant rather than dependent on humanitarian assistance.”
A Call for Coordinated Regional Response
The IGAD Regional Focus of the Global Report on Food Crises — now in its seventh edition — remains an indispensable tool for policymakers, humanitarian organizations, and regional bodies. It provides evidence-based insights to guide coordinated efforts in addressing the complex and escalating food and nutrition crises affecting millions across the Horn of Africa.
The report forms part of the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC 2025) — a collaborative product of the Food Security Information Network (FSIN) under the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC). It draws on contributions from multiple international agencies and experts, reflecting a unified commitment to tackling hunger through shared data, analysis, and action.