IGAD Regional Focus of the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2023

June 20, 2023

The African continent is currently facing an escalating hunger crisis, with projections indicating that up to 30 million people across multiple countries will require humanitarian food assistance this year. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), consisting of eight member states, recently released the IGAD Regional Focus of the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2023, shedding light on the severity of the situation.

Projected Humanitarian Food Assistance

According to the report, an alarming number of individuals in African countries are estimated to require urgent food assistance. Up to 30 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity, emphasizing the pressing need for intervention and support.

Role of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

The IGAD, comprising Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda, plays a crucial role in addressing regional challenges. Their collaboration and efforts are essential for effective intervention and response to the escalating hunger crisis.

Importance of the IGAD Regional Focus Report

On June 14, 2023, the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) released the IGAD Regional Focus of the GRFC 2023 in Nairobi. This report provides valuable insights into the magnitude of the food crises and serves as a basis for informed decision-making.

Severity Classification

The report utilizes the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) scale to classify the severity of acute food insecurity. This standardized scale allows for a comprehensive assessment and understanding of the crisis.

Widespread Urgency

In 2022, a staggering 55.45 million people across Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda required urgent food assistance, representing a critical situation. However, data for Eritrea was not available, highlighting the need for improved data collection and analysis.

Countries Facing Acute Food Insecurity

Among the IGAD member states, Somalia and South Sudan are grappling with the highest levels of acute food insecurity. Over 301,000 individuals in these countries are struggling with IPC Phase 5, also known as ‘catastrophe,’ while over 8.7 million people are in the ’emergency’ phase (IPC Phase 4).

Primary Drivers of Food Insecurity

Weather extremes, including drought and other climatic factors, were identified as the primary cause of acute food insecurity in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda. Conversely, Djibouti, South Sudan, and Sudan experienced acute food insecurity due to economic shocks.

Addressing the Crisis

The report emphasizes the urgent need for collaborative efforts to combat the dire food crises in the IGAD region. International organizations, governments, the private sector, regional bodies, civil society, and local communities must work together to develop comprehensive strategies, increase support, and allocate resources effectively.

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