IGAD Reports 40.3 Million Face Acute Food Insecurity in East Africa

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development reports that 40.3 million people across six East African countries are facing high levels of acute food insecurity in 2026. While this total is a slight decrease from 43.3 million in 2025 due to improvements in Uganda and Sudan, the crisis has nearly tripled over the last decade, rising from 13.9 million people in 2016.

Sudan remains the most severe crisis, with famine projected in 14 areas across South Kordofan, North Darfur, and South Darfur. South Sudan has the highest prevalence of insecurity, affecting 55 percent of its population. Conditions have worsened in Djibouti, Kenya, and Somalia, where failed rains and severe drought have reduced food production. Somalia is particularly vulnerable as it imports nearly 90 percent of its cereal requirements, a process threatened by instability along the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb corridor.

The crisis is driven by a convergence of conflict, macroeconomic instability, and climate shocks. Over 9 million children currently require treatment for acute malnutrition. In response, the organization is calling for a shift from reactive relief toward anticipatory investment in agri-food systems and stronger data collection to combat the effects of humanitarian funding cuts.