The El Niño event of 2023-24 has caused a major drought in the country, affecting over 20 million people. With more than 2 million people facing food insecurity, the situation is expected to worsen with Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes through September 2024. Some areas have already deteriorated to Crisis by August due to issues with harvests and food security.
The impact of the drought on food production and security is evident, with a significant number of people at risk of experiencing serious health consequences. There has been a steady increase in wasting admissions, with over 5,000 cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) being reported in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, there is a high proxy-prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in provinces affected by drought.
Action and support will be crucial in addressing the needs of those affected by the current drought conditions. It is important to take immediate steps to prevent further deterioration and mitigate the impact of this crisis on vulnerable populations.