A recent analysis by the WFP Drought Hotspot reveals that over 20 million people in the country are currently facing drought conditions due to the 2023-24 El Niño event. This has resulted in a significant increase in food insecurity, with more than 2 million people experiencing severe hunger. The impact of El Niño on food production and food security is evident, with some areas worsening to a crisis level by August due to issues with harvests and food availability.
The ongoing drought has led to an expected Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes through September 2024. The situation is particularly concerning, as the impact of El Niño-induced food insecurity is expected to result in a high number of wasting cases, potentially leading to a food crisis. 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.
There is also a high proxy-prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in provinces affected by drought, indicating the severity of the situation. The effects of El Niño on food production and food security are evident, with a significant number of people at risk of experiencing serious health consequences as a result. Action and support will be crucial in addressing the needs of those affected by the current drought conditions and preventing further malnutrition cases from occurring.
