Catastrophic famine looms as drought continues across East Africa
- Over 14 million people across Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are already on the verge of starvation as drought, conflict and COVID-19 threaten East Africa with famine.
- Since April, the population facing famine conditions—and risk of death—in Somalia has risen by 160%. Nearly half of all children under the age of five are malnourished.
- Ukraine and Russia have historically provided 92% of the wheat imported to Somalia; the war has drastically reduced access to crucial food supplies.
- One in three livestock in Somalia have died since mid 2021— a warning sign of the potential loss of human life on a mass scale.
Country facts
- Total population: 12.3 million
- People displaced by crisis: 17 of every 100
- Rank in 2015 Human Development Index: Not ranked
IRC response
- Started work in Somalia: 1981
- People assisted per year: 280,000
