Conflict, Climate, and Economic Shocks Push 42 Million into Hunger in IGAD Member States

Nairobi, Kenya, 16 September 2025 — Forty-two million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above*) this year across six IGAD member states — Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, the Sudan, and Uganda — according to the IGAD Regional Focus of the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises released today.

In five countries with comparable data since 2016 (Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, the Sudan, and Uganda), the number of people experiencing severe food insecurity has tripled — rising from 13.9 million in 2016, during the first edition of the report, to 41.7 million in 2025.

The Sudan and South Sudan are the largest and most severe food crises in the region. The Sudan currently has the highest number of food-insecure people, at 24.6 million, with famine and famine risk present in multiple areas. Meanwhile, South Sudan has the largest share of its population (57 percent) in IPC Phase 3 or above, with two counties at risk of famine.

Conflict, economic challenges, and climate extremes remain the primary drivers of food insecurity in the IGAD region. These crises are interlinked and mutually reinforcing — heightening vulnerabilities, eroding resilience, and reversing development gains. The situation is expected to worsen, with IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) forecasting drier-than-usual conditions in southern Ethiopia, eastern Kenya, and much of Somalia. Central and northern Somalia, already suffering from consecutive poor rainy seasons, risk further drought and deeper food insecurity.

Acute malnutrition also remains at alarming levels, with 11.4 million children aged 6–59 months acutely malnourished across seven IGAD states. Among them, 3.1 million urgently require lifesaving treatment for severe acute malnutrition. Yet, significant funding cuts could leave an estimated 1 million people without access to treatment.

The region continues to host the largest displaced population in the world. As of June 2025, 23.2 million people were displaced, including 17.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 5.4 million refugees and asylum seekers. The Sudan alone accounts for about 10 million IDPs, the largest internal displacement crisis globally. Uganda hosts over 1.9 million refugees, the highest in Africa. Displaced populations face some of the worst food security and nutritional outcomes, heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance at a time of shrinking resources.

H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD Executive Secretary, emphasized:

“The food crisis in our region is more than just hunger; it is a stark reminder of the interconnected challenges we face — conflict, climate change, economic shocks, and displacement. No single institution can tackle these crises alone. Through collective action across governments, regional institutions, and partners, we can address root causes and create lasting solutions for our people.”

Farayi Zimudzi, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa ad interim, added:

“Rural agricultural communities are among the worst affected. With another poor rainy season expected, we must act now to protect livelihoods with anticipatory action. But this must go hand in hand with long-term resilience building and investment in sustainable agriculture, so that no one is left behind.”

Eric Perdison, WFP Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, warned:

“The scale of this hunger crisis is deeply alarming. In Sudan, famine is already unfolding and could worsen. Saving lives is an immediate priority, but we must also build resilience so that communities are not forced to depend indefinitely on humanitarian assistance.”

The seventh edition of the IGAD Regional Focus of the Global Report on Food Crises provides critical data and insights to address the causes and consequences of escalating hunger and malnutrition. It is part of the annual Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC 2025), produced through a multi-partner, consensus-driven process under the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC), facilitated by the Food Security Information Network.