Areas of Highest Concern
Conflict has severely disrupted trade, humanitarian access, and livelihoods. Very poor macroeconomic conditions constrain household market access.
According to a preliminary estimate by the FAO, flooding led to the loss of approximately 72,600 MT of cereals across 36 counties.
Protracted conflict has severely disrupted livelihoods and reduced incomes. Food prices remain elevated and food access is inadequate for many households. Currently, 17 million people are in need of humanitarian food assistance.
A deal has been signed between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and southern separatist forces. High levels of conflict continue in Al Hudaydah and Hajjah.
Boko Haram attacks continue in the northeast, and the ongoing conflict will likely severely limit area cultivated during the 2019 main season. Over 2 million people are currently internally displaced.
Flooding in Rann, Borno State, where up to 100,000 IDPs live, has damaged farmland and made access difficult for humanitarian actors.
Other Areas of Concern
Ongoing conflicts in the Kasai region, North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Maniema, and Tanganyika Provinces have caused continuing displacement and affected households’ abilities to access typical livelihood activities.
Confirmed new Ebola cases continue to decline in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, but WHO still considers the epidemic a public health emergency of international concern.
The 2018/19 rainfall season was among the worst on record in parts of the country characterized by drought conditions. Additionally, the macroeconomy is highly volatile affecting household food access.
On November 12, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe released notes and coins of the Zimbabwean dollar. This policy is aimed to improve the cash shortage; however, market impacts are currently not well understood as the market needs time to adjust.
The 2019 Gu/long rains season was well below average and follows a below-average 2018/19 Deyr/short rains season. In many areas, households are still recovering from the 2016/17 drought.
A desert locust outbreak is causing localized damage to crops and pasture in northern and central Ethiopia and parts of central Somalia.
Poorly distributed rains and drought conditions will lead to production losses during the main harvest for smallholders in parts of Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar and Zimbabwe.
Cumulative rainfall for the 2019/20 season is expected to be below average in southern and central areas of the region with the greatest risk over the maize triangle of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and southern Mozambique.
The impacts of tropical cyclones Desmond, Idai, and Kenneth have led to death, displacement, and widespread destruction. Additionally, the rainy season performed poorly in southern areas.
In Cyclone affected areas where water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities are yet to be rebuilt, there is an increased risk of waterborne diseases during the upcoming rainy season.
The deteriorating security situation is disrupting household access to livelihoods and markets. At least 750,000 people are displaced throughout the region.
An increase in carjackings in Tillaberi region of Niger is decreasing humanitarian access to insecure areas.
Areas of Highest Concern
| Country or Region | Reason for Concern | Observations |
|---|---|---|
| South Sudan |
Conflict has severely disrupted trade, humanitarian access, and livelihoods. Very poor macroeconomic conditions constrain household market access. |
According to a preliminary estimate by the FAO, flooding led to the loss of approximately 72,600 MT of cereals across 36 counties. |
| Yemen |
Protracted conflict has severely disrupted livelihoods and reduced incomes. Food prices remain elevated and food access is inadequate for many households. Currently, 17 million people are in need of humanitarian food assistance. |
A deal has been signed between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and southern separatist forces. High levels of conflict continue in Al Hudaydah and Hajjah. |
| Nigeria |
Boko Haram attacks continue in the northeast, and the ongoing conflict will likely severely limit area cultivated during the 2019 main season. Over 2 million people are currently internally displaced. |
Flooding in Rann, Borno State, where up to 100,000 IDPs live, has damaged farmland and made access difficult for humanitarian actors. |
Other Areas of Concern
| Country or Region | Reason for Concern | Observations |
|---|---|---|
| DRC |
Ongoing conflicts in the Kasai region, North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Maniema, and Tanganyika Provinces have caused continuing displacement and affected households’ abilities to access typical livelihood activities. |
Confirmed new Ebola cases continue to decline in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, but WHO still considers the epidemic a public health emergency of international concern. |
| Zimbabwe |
The 2018/19 rainfall season was among the worst on record in parts of the country characterized by drought conditions. Additionally, the macroeconomy is highly volatile affecting household food access. |
On November 12, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe released notes and coins of the Zimbabwean dollar. This policy is aimed to improve the cash shortage; however, market impacts are currently not well understood as the market needs time to adjust. |
| Horn of Africa |
The 2019 Gu/long rains season was well below average and follows a below-average 2018/19 Deyr/short rains season. In many areas, households are still recovering from the 2016/17 drought. |
A desert locust outbreak is causing localized damage to crops and pasture in northern and central Ethiopia and parts of central Somalia. |
| Southern Africa |
Poorly distributed rains and drought conditions will lead to production losses during the main harvest for smallholders in parts of Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. |
Cumulative rainfall for the 2019/20 season is expected to be below average in southern and central areas of the region with the greatest risk over the maize triangle of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and southern Mozambique. |
| Mozambique |
The impacts of tropical cyclones Desmond, Idai, and Kenneth have led to death, displacement, and widespread destruction. Additionally, the rainy season performed poorly in southern areas. |
In Cyclone affected areas where water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities are yet to be rebuilt, there is an increased risk of waterborne diseases during the upcoming rainy season. |
| Bordering areas of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali |
The deteriorating security situation is disrupting household access to livelihoods and markets. At least 750,000 people are displaced throughout the region. |
An increase in carjackings in Tillaberi region of Niger is decreasing humanitarian access to insecure areas. |
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The Famine Early Warning Systems Network is a leading provider of early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by USAID in 1985 to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on some 28 countries. Implementing team members include NASA, NOAA, USDA, and USGS, along with Chemonics International Inc. and Kimetrica. Read more about our work.
