Food insecurity continues to be a serious issue in Ethiopia, particularly during the peak lean season between July and September. This period is challenging, especially in Meher crop-dominant regions such as Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, Central Ethiopia, and parts of South Ethiopia. The latest data reveals that 10.9 million acutely food-insecure individuals are in need of assistance during this time, including 4 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). However, due to insufficient funding, only 55 percent of the planned beneficiaries will receive food assistance unless additional resources are secured.
The situation is further compounded by the presence of over 1 million refugees and asylum seekers in Ethiopia, with almost 100,000 Sudanese refugees. These individuals have also been impacted by funding shortages, resulting in a reduction of food assistance rations to 60 percent of the standard monthly amount, except for new arrivals.
Areas of highest concern for food security between June and September 2024 include 14 Woredas in Tigray, 11 in Afar, and 2 in Amhara with emergency-level needs. Crisis-level outcomes are widespread in Somali, parts of Oromia, and Amhara for the same period. Despite some improvements in livestock production and productivity in Southern pastoral areas, most regions will still experience crisis-level food insecurity due to the lingering effects of consecutive droughts.
Belg crop-producing areas are expected to benefit from their own production and a slight decrease in food prices in regional markets. The Belg rains have supported Meher crop planting and provided pasture and water for livestock. However, high levels of malnutrition remain a significant concern, with a wasting rate above 15 percent reported in six out of seven regions. A recent WFP SMART survey in the Afar region indicated very high rates of malnutrition, including 19.4 percent wasting and over 30 percent underweight and stunting.
In conclusion, the persistent food insecurity in Ethiopia highlights the urgent need for increased funding and support to address the needs of acutely food-insecure populations, IDPs, refugees, and host communities. Efforts to improve food production, access to resources, and nutrition monitoring are crucial to mitigating the impact of hunger and malnutrition in the country. Collaboration between humanitarian organizations, government agencies, and donors is essential to providing timely and effective assistance to those most in need.
