2018 East Africa & Yemen Hunger Crisis

Extreme food insecurity, hunger, and famine have been concerns for parts of East Africa and Yemen for years, with parts of East Africa having officially declared a famine in February 2017. Since 2015, Yemen has been caught in a devastating civil conflict against militants which has destroyed much of its infrastructure, while blockades, landmines and other violence has made it difficult to transport and access food.

Today, there are 15 million people still lacking food and facing drought in parts of East Africa — particularly in South Sudan, parts of Somalia and Ethiopia, where conflict and displacement continue to disrupt food security and livelihood. Since the famine, heavy rainfalls have led to floods causing further losses and damages.

In Yemen alone, over 8 million are on the verge of famine with almost 18 million lacking access to nutritious food. According to Save the Children, over 5 million children are at risk of starvation. 

According to the UNCHR, these crises are expected to persist beyond 2018 into 2019, and support is needed today.

Charities are raising funds to deliver immediate aid such as life-saving food and medical treatment to different areas hit by extreme hunger, while others are raising funds to support the over 11 million people who have been displaced as a result of the crises in these areas.

Sources:

• ‘Killing a generation’: Five million Yemeni children face famine
• East Africa Children’s Crisis July 2018 appeal
• Yemen war: More than eight million on verge of starvation
• WFP South Sudan Situation Report #226, 20 August 2018
• East Africa Key Message Update, August 2018