The Horn of Africa is currently experiencing a severe crisis affecting children on an unprecedented scale. The region is grappling with widespread hunger, displacement, water scarcity, and insecurity. Shockingly, more than 7 million children under the age of 5 are malnourished and urgently require nutrition support, with over 1.9 million children at risk of dying from severe malnutrition.
Years of failed rains, resulting in one of the worst droughts in 40 years, have devastated vulnerable communities. Livestock, crops, and entire livelihoods have been lost. Mohamed Fall, the UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that children have been severely affected, with millions forced to leave their homes in search of food and water. The crisis has robbed children of basic essentials such as food, shelter, clean water, and education.
Although recent rains have provided some relief, they have also caused floods due to the parched ground’s inability to absorb the water. This has further displaced communities, increased disease risks, and led to the loss of livestock and damage to farmland, homes, roads, schools, and health facilities. Ethiopia and Somalia have been particularly affected by the floods, exacerbating the vulnerability of drought-affected populations and heightening health risks, including cholera outbreaks.
The region is currently grappling with acute food insecurity, affecting 23 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. Severe malnutrition cases among children remain alarmingly high, and the situation is compounded by extreme weather, insecurity, and limited access to healthcare, leading to gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, and abuse.
Major disease outbreaks, including cholera, measles, and malaria, are ongoing, further strained by extreme weather conditions and weak healthcare systems. The climate crisis exacerbates the severity of the situation, exacerbating mass displacement, malnutrition, and disease.
Fall emphasized the need for continued support to address the crisis, as recovery will take time. In addition to immediate needs, investments are required to develop resilient and sustainable systems to withstand future climate impacts and shocks. Donor support is crucial to not only help children recover but also to build a better future for the region’s children in the face of an uncertain climate future.
