OVERVIEW
The number of people affected by severe food insecurity in the Horn of Africa is at a record high of 26.5 million due to drought and conflict. El Niño rains predicted in northern areas will further erode the ability of communities to cope with consecutive climatic shocks. Acute malnutrition and disease outbreaks among displaced populations and children under five are major concerns. Displacement is increasing due to both drought and conflict, particularly in South Sudan. The region has recorded a more than 30 per cent rise in the number of refugees in the past year. Access remains a challenge due to attacks on aid workers and bureaucratic impediments by governments. Child protection and sexual and gender based violence are being exacerbated by local conflicts and migration. The humanitarian response remains severely underfunded. Only a quarter of the US$8.3 billion target has been raised so far
