IGAD urges shift from crisis response to prevention as East Africa’s hunger crisis deepens
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 24 — East Africa must shift from responding to food crises after they erupt to anticipating and preventing them, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has said,…
Nairobi, Kenya, September 24 — The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has called for a shift in approach to addressing East Africa's deepening hunger crisis, urging governments and development partners to move from crisis response to prevention. With over 40 million people across six member states currently facing acute food insecurity, the region's Deputy Executive Secretary, Mohamed Abdi Ware, emphasized the urgent need for early warnings, resilient food systems, and strengthened regional markets.
The IGAD report found that the number of people in high levels of acute food insecurity has nearly tripled since 2016, rising from 13.9 million to 40.3 million, or 34% of the population. Ware stressed that these figures are not merely records of worsening conditions but a call to action to strengthen the region's capacity to anticipate risks, prevent deterioration, and enhance resilience.
Five priorities were identified: strengthening early warning and anticipatory action, investing in climate-resilient food systems, improving regional food markets, addressing the interconnected drivers of conflict, displacement, climate vulnerability, and food insecurity, and enhancing data, coordination, and financing. The crisis, according to the report, is driven by conflict, climate shocks, economic pressures, and displacement, with Sudan and South Sudan facing the most severe situations.
The region also anticipates another climate risk with the expected strengthening of El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, which could bring above-average rainfall to parts of the region but also increase flooding risks. IGAD will continue working with member states and partners to improve cross-border coordination and facilitate the movement of food, livestock, and agricultural inputs across borders.
The report also highlighted the human cost of the crisis, with millions of children and people living in forced displacement requiring urgent assistance.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
