A recent study by WFP has shown that over 20 million people in the country are currently facing drought conditions due to the 2023-24 El Niño phenomenon. Out of this population, more than 2 million individuals are experiencing food insecurity as a result.
As a result of El Niño, it is predicted that there will be Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes in various regions until September 2024. Some areas may even escalate to Crisis status by August due to challenges with harvests and increasing food insecurity.
The impact of El Niño-induced food insecurity is expected to result in a high number of wasting cases, with a significant increase in admissions for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). In fact, more than 5,000 cases of SAM were reported in 2024, representing a substantial increase from the previous year. Additionally, there is a concerning prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in provinces affected by drought.
The potential food crisis that could emerge as a consequence of the ongoing drought conditions and their impact on food production is cause for concern. Immediate action and interventions are necessary to address the heightened risk of malnutrition and food insecurity in the affected regions.
