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Ethiopia: Major food security emergency expected through 2016

Countries
Ethiopia
Sources
FEWS NET
Publication date
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Major food security Emergency expected through 2016

Key Messages

  • The ongoing El Niño contributing to the worst drought in more than 50 years in Ethiopia has led to well below average Meher harvests in most eastern cropping areas. It has also contributed to massive livestock deaths, poor livestock body conditions and very low livestock production in Afar and northern parts of Somali Region. Between January and March 2016, large populations in the east of the country will experience very significant food consumption gaps.

  • Poor households in pastoral southern Afar and Sitti Zone in Somali Region and in the agricultural lowlands of East and West Hararghe Zones in Oromia are worst-affected by the drought. As many households face extreme difficulty meeting their minimal basic food needs through at least March 2016, these zone are in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity. Larger areas of Tigray, Amhara, Afar, Oromia, Somali and SNNPR will remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3). Emergency food assistance is required to protect household food consumption.

  • Across much of the east and south of the country, rainfall performance has been much better and near normal harvests is expected for the current season. These areas will be in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) or Stressed (IPC Phased 2) acute food insecurity through March 2016.