Hunger Threatens 42 Million in IGAD Region
Action Against Hunger Regional Food Security, Livelihoods and Resilience Specialist Mirasine Meiguran, IGAD Food Security Specialist Charity Mumbua and ICPAC Acting Director Dr Abdi Fidar during the Launch of the IGAD Regional Focus of the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises on 16th September, 2025 in Nairobi.
By Winnie Atieno
More than 42 million people across six member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are facing high levels of acute food insecurity this year, according to the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises released in Nairobi on Tuesday, 16 September.
The report shows that hunger in Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda has tripled since 2016, rising from 13.9 million to 41.7 million in 2025. Sudan has the largest food-insecure population at 24.6 million, while South Sudan has the highest share, with 57 percent of its people in crisis and two counties at risk of famine.
Speaking during the launch, IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu said the crisis reflects the combined effects of conflict, climate change, economic shocks and displacement.
“The food crisis in our region is more than just hunger; it’s a stark reminder of the interconnected challenges we face conflict, the severe effects of climate change, economic shocks, and displacement,” he said.
The report notes that 11.4 million children under five are acutely malnourished, including 3.1 million who need urgent treatment. Funding cuts could leave about one million without access to lifesaving support.
FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa ad-interim, Farayi Zimudzi, said rural farming communities are among the worst affected.
“With another poor rainy season expected in some parts of the region, we must act now to protect rural livelihoods with anticipatory actions,” she said. “However, anticipatory action alone won’t break the cycle. They must be paired with long-term resilience building and investment in sustainable agriculture.”
The IGAD region also faces record displacement, with 23.2 million people uprooted from their homes. Sudan has the largest internal displacement crisis with 10 million IDPs, while Uganda hosts more than 1.9 million refugees, the highest in Africa.
WFP Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Eric Perdison, described the situation as alarming.
“In Sudan, famine is already unfolding, and the situation could worsen. While working together to save lives is an immediate priority, we must also build resilience and support communities in standing on their own feet and not being forced to depend on humanitarian assistance for survival,” he said.
The IGAD Regional Focus of the Global Report on Food Crises, now in its seventh edition, provides critical data and analysis to guide joint responses to hunger and malnutrition in the region.
