An estimated 27 million people face food insecure people in seven countries in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development or IGAD region, according to Food Security Information Network new report.
The report draws special attention to the troubles of millions of people experiencing acute nutrition insecurity in South Sudan, Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda.
It says climatic shocks, conflict and economic instability are the main drivers of food insecurity in the region.
The worst-affected countries in 2018 with acute food insecurity are South Sudan Ethiopia and Sudan, the report clarifies.
In South Sudan, 59 percent of the population requires urgent assistance to protect livelihoods, reduce food consumption gaps and malnutrition.
IGAD Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim calls on IGAD member states and partners to invest more on resilience.
He also appeals to them to put money and efforts on adaptation to climate change, conflict prevention and sustaining peace to overcome vulnerability and address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition.
The report serves as an important milestone for IGAD’s commitment to fight acute hunger and malnutrition in the region, Ambassador Maalim notes.