Countries requiring external assistance for food
Countries in crisis requiring external assistance for food are expected to lack the resources to deal with reported critical problems of food insecurity. The list below covers crises related to lack of food availability, widespread lack of access to food, or severe but localized problems. GIEWS updates this list three times a year (four times before 2023).
March 2024
(total: 45 countries)
Nature of Food Insecurity
Main Reasons
Changes from last report
Conflict, high food prices, weather extremes
- According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, the number of severely food insecure people (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) was projected to reach 2.5 million between April and August 2024, including about 521 000 people in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). The situation reflects the impact of the conflict and civil insecurity, as well as the limited market access and rising food prices.
- As of December 2023, over 511 000 people were internally displaced as a result of civil insecurity and armed violence.
Weather extremes
- About 1.5 million people were estimated to be acutely food insecure between October 2023 and January 2024, reflecting the lingering impact of a prolonged and severe drought between late 2020 and early 2023 that affected agricultural production, mainly in northern and eastern pastoral, agropastoral and marginal agricultural areas.
Drought conditions, civil insecurity
- About 4 million people are estimated to face severe acute food insecurity between January and March 2024, owing to consecutive poor rainy seasons between late 2020 and early 2023, as well as floods in late 2023 and an intensification of the conflict since August 2023.
Conflict, displacements, high food prices
- About 17.7 million people (almost 40 percent of the total population) were estimated to face severe acute food insecurity between October 2023 and February 2024, due to the conflict that broke out in mid-April 2023 that paralyzed economic activities, caused large scale displacements and sharply reduced the 2023 harvest.
Weather extremes, high food prices
- About 1.23 million people are estimated to be facing (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) levels of acute food insecurity between January and March 2024. The main drivers are the lingering impact of floods in eastern and northern areas in early 2023 and high food prices due, in part, to the depreciation of the national currency.
Civil insecurity, high food prices, low cereal production
- According to the latest Cadre Harmonisé (CH) analysis, nearly 3 million people are projected to experience severe acute food insecurity during the June to August 2024 lean period, including approximately 294 000 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency), as well as nearly 91 000 Sudanese refugees in the departments of Dar Tama (Wadi Fira) and Kimiti (Sila Region), who are projected to be severely acute food insecure (CH Phase 3 [Crisis] and above).
- Food security conditions are particularly concerning in eastern areas where the large majority of the 700 000 refugees and returnees that fled the Sudan since mid-April 2023 are located, reflecting increasing pressure on food stocks and local livelihoods, as well as disruptions in trade flows following the closure of the border with the Sudan, amid limited humanitarian assistance. Below-average cereal production in 2023 and high food prices are also constraining food access of vulnerable households across the country.
- As of February 2024, a total of 1.12 million refugees were residing in the country.
Conflict
- According to the September 2023 IPC analysis, 23.4 million people are projected to experience acute food insecurity between January and June 2024. This is due to the intensification of the conflict in northeastern provinces, which, among other factors, has prevented the completion of harvests and will likely reduce food availability in the coming months.
- As of October 2023, a total of 6.04 million people in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri had been displaced due to the conflict.
Unfavourable weather, high food prices
- About 250 000 people were estimated to have faced acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) between March and June 2023, mainly due to the lingering impact of a prolonged and severe drought between late 2020 and early 2023, as well as high food prices.
Macroeconomic challenges have increased the population’s vulnerability to food insecurity
Drought in southern areas, conflict in Tigray Region, high food prices
- According to the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan, about 15.8 million people are officially estimated to be facing severe acute food insecurity, mainly due to weather extremes, conflict in northern areas and high food prices.
Weather extremes, high food prices
- The latest IPC analysis puts the number people facing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) at 4.4 million between October 2023 and March 2024, 15 percent more than the corresponding period in 2022/23.
- Dry and hot conditions are impacting central and southern districts, weighing on 2024 agricultural production prospects, and along with persistently high food prices acute food insecurity conditions are foreseen to remain stressed in 2024.
High food prices
- According to the latest CH analysis, about 365 000 people are projected to be in need of humanitarian assistance during the June to August 2024 lean period, including about 7 100 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency). This would be an improvement compared to the previous year, mostly due to an increase in cereal output in 2023.
- Elevated food prices continued to constrain food access of vulnerable households.
- As of January 2024, the country was hosting nearly 123 000 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from Mali.
Insecurity, political instability, high food prices, localized crop production shortfalls
- According to the November 2023 CH analysis, over 3.23 million people are projected to be severely acute food insecure during the June to August 2024 lean season, including about 95 000 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency).
- Food access remains significantly constrained in areas affected by insecurity, including Tillaberi, Tahoua, Diffa and Maradi regions, while sanctions following the military takeover triggered abrupt increases in food prices and exacerbated food insecurity among vulnerable households across the country.
- About 170 000 people were affected by floods during the 2023 rainy season.
- As of January 2024, the country was hosting over 306 000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from Nigeria and Mali.
Conflict in northern areas, macroeconomic crisis, high food prices
- About 26.46 million people are projected to face severe acute food insecurity during the June to August 2024 lean season, including over 1 million people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency), which is above the 24.86 million people estimated in 2023. The increase, however, partially reflects an expanded coverage of the CH analysis.
- Acute food insecurity is mostly the result of escalating civil insecurity and conflicts in northern states, which, as well as disrupting agricultural activities and markets, led to the displacement of about 3.49 million people as of June 2023.
- High inflation rates, driven by a steep loss of value of the naira, are curtailing vulnerable households’ economic access to food.
- As of December 2023, over 86 000 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from Cameroon, were residing in the country.
Economic downturn, floods, civil insecurity
- Despite sustained humanitarian assistance, food insecurity still affects large segments of the population, owing to rampant inflation, insufficient food supplies, the lingering impact of consecutive years with widespread floods and episodes of intercommunal violence. About 5.78 million people, almost half of the total population, are expected to face severe acute food insecurity between December 2023 and March 2024.
- Particular concern exists for about 11 000 people in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and 14 000 returnees from the conflict‑affected Sudan facing IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe) levels of acute food insecurity.
High food prices, localized shortfalls in production
- An estimated 3.5 million people are projected to be in need of humanitarian assistance up until at least March 2024.
- Prevailing high food prices and reduced incomes, owing to the effects of an economic downturn, are key factors underpinning the high levels of acute food insecurity. Expectations of a reduced cereal output in 2024, on account of unfavourable weather conditions, is likely to be a serious aggravating stressor on food insecurity this year.
Conflict
- According to the latest CH analysis, nearly 3 million people are projected to face severe acute food insecurity during the June to August 2024 lean season, including over 425 000 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency).
- Acute food insecurity is primarily underpinned by worsening conflict and, in particular, by the use of siege tactics by non-state armed groups. Insecurity is hampering agricultural activities and driving up food prices, while humanitarian access constraints are very high. As of March 2023, civil insecurity resulted in the displacement of about 2.06 million people.
- As of January 2024, nearly 39 000 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from Mali, were residing in the country.
Civil insecurity, high food prices
- According to the October 2023 CH analysis, about 2.5 million people are estimated to be acutely food insecure (CH Phase 3 [Crisis] and above), between June and August 2024, as a result of the effects of the conflict, sociopolitical unrest and high food prices, as well as floods that caused population displacements and agricultural damage, and losses.
- As of June 2023, the number of IDPs was more than 1.1 million due to attacks by NSAGs in Far North Region.
Refugee influx, floods
- As of end-2022, nearly 30 000 refugees from the Central African Republic and approximately 26 000 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were residing in the country, mostly in Likouala and Plateaux departments. Host communities face pre-existing food shortages and limited livelihood opportunities, and refugees’ food security relies heavily on ongoing humanitarian assistance.
- Flooding in early 2023 affected about 165 000 people, located in the departments of Cuvette, Likouala, Plateaux and Sangha.
High food prices, economic downturn
- The latest IPC analysis points to a 9 percent year-on-year increase in the number of people facing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) between October 2023 and March 2024, projected at 283 000.
- Food insecurity is driven by high food prices and a slowdown in economic growth, which has curbed households’ income-earning opportunities.
High food prices
- Over 675 000 people are projected to be severely acute food insecure during the June to August 2024 lean season, including approximately 53 000 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency), an improvement compared to 2023 when nearly 710 000 people were estimated to face severe acute food insecurity. Acute food insecurity is mainly driven by elevated food prices.
- As of January 2024, about 2 200 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from Sierra Leone, were residing in the country.
High food prices, economic downturn
- According to the latest IPC analysis, an estimated 325 000 people are projected to face IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) levels of acute food insecurity between October 2023 and March 2024, representing a small increase compared to the previous year.
- Food insecurity conditions are primarily underpinned by high food prices and a slow economic recovery that is impinging on households’ economic capacity to access food.
High food prices, macroeconomic challenges
- According to the latest CH analysis, over 531 000 people were projected to face severe acute food insecurity during the June to August 2023 lean season period, including approximately 21 500 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency). Acute food insecurity is associated with high food prices.
- As of January 2024, the country was hosting about 1 800 refugees and asylum seekers.
Civil insecurity, economic and political instability, high food prices, dam destruction
- A strong storm struck the country in September 2023, causing destruction of two dams and flooding, worsening the acute food insecurity situation. The 2024 Global Humanitarian Overview reports a reduction in the number of acute food insecurity to 250 000 people in 2024.
Weather extremes, slow economic recovery
- Between January and March 2024, a projected 1.7 million people are expected to face IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and above emergency levels of acute food insecurity in southern and southeastern areas, marking a small improvement compared to the previous year.
Conflict
- According to the latest CH analysis, about 1.37 million people are projected to face severe acute food insecurity during the June to August 2024 lean season, including nearly 55 000 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency). This number is higher compared to the previous year, but no populations are projected to be in CH Phase 5 (Catastrophe), and the number of people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency) is expected to decline.
- Food insecurity conditions are primarily underpinned by the impact of the conflict in northern and central areas, which continues to disrupt livelihoods and markets, and has caused the displacement of nearly 355 000 people, as of October 2023, while humanitarian access constraints are very high.
- As of January 2024, the country was hosting approximately 67 000 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from Burkina Faso, the Niger and Mauritania.
Insecurity in northern areas, reduced localized harvests
- According to the latest IPC analysis, an estimated 3.3 million people are classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and above between October 2023 and March 2024. Insecurity in the northern province of Cabo Delgado underpins the severest levels of acute food insecurity.
- Unfavourable weather conditions in parts of the country during the 2023/24 cropping season could result in reduced localized agricultural outputs in 2024 and aggravate acute food insecurity, whilst persisting attacks by NSAGs in Cabo Delgado continue to be a severe stressor.
Localized shortfalls in cereal production, high food prices
- An estimated 695 000 people are projected to face acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) between October 2023 and March 2024, a significant increase over last year’s figures.
- Weather and price shocks, as well as subdued economic growth, are key factors driving the high levels of acute food insecurity.
Macroeconomic challenges
- According to the latest CH analysis, about 727 000 people are projected to be severely acutely food insecure during the June to August 2024 lean season, including over 43 500 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency). This marks a significant improvement compared to the previous year, when about 1.26 million people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance, which is mostly due to an above-average cereal production in 2023.
- The main drivers of acute food insecurity are macroeconomic challenges.
- As of January 2024, about 12 700 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from Mauritania, were residing in the country.
High food prices, macroeconomic challenges
- According to the latest CH analysis, about 1.46 million people are projected to be in need of humanitarian assistance during the June to August 2024 lean season period. This would be a deterioration compared to the same period in 2023, when about 1.18 million people were estimated to be severely acute food insecure.
- Acute food insecurity is underpinned by high food prices, in part driven by a weak national currency, and low purchasing power of vulnerable households.
Weather extremes, insecurity, high food prices
- The latest IPC analysis, conducted in refugee hosting districts, estimates that about 963 000 people are facing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) between February and June 2024. These conditions reflect the adverse impact of weather shocks on crop production, conflict between refugees and the host population, and high food prices.
- The number of refugees and asylum seekers, mainly hosted in camps and rely on humanitarian assistance, was estimated in early February 2024 at 1.62 million, including about 927 000 from South Sudan and about 527 000 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Localized shortfalls in staple food production, high food prices
- According to the latest IPC analysis, conducted in 21 districts of mainland Tanzania where, according to official estimates crop production in 2023 was below-average, an estimated 900 000 people are facing severe acute food insecurity between November 2023 and April 2024.
- The main drivers of crop production shortfalls are adverse weather conditions and outbreaks of pests and diseases.
High food prices
- Just over 2 million people are classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and above between October 2023 and March 2024. High food prices, including record high prices of maize and localized shortfalls in cereal production, are key factors driving the high levels of acute food insecurity.
- Dry weather conditions are affecting large swathes of the country in 2024 and, if cereal production declines, this could intensify acute food insecurity in the affected areas.
Low food consumption levels, poor dietary diversity, weak economic growth.
- The food security situation is expected to remain fragile, amid persistent weak economic growth.
Economic crisis
- According to the IPC Acute Food Insecurity Analysis, between October 2023 and March 2024, about 1.05 million Lebanese, Syrian refugees, Palestine refugees from Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic are classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and above, corresponding to 19 percent of the analysed population. Between April and September 2024, about 1.14 million people are expected to face high levels of food insecurity and are likely to be in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or above, corresponding to 21 percent of the analysed population.
Conflict
- According to the IPC Acute Food Insecurity Analysis, as of 7 February 2024, the entire population in the Gaza Strip (2.2 million people) faced high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] or above). Over 50 percent (1.17 million people) were classified in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). At least one out of four people (more than 500 000 people) face IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe) conditions.
Economic crisis, lingering conflict
- According to the 2024 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), at least 12.9 million people, more than half of the population, are estimated to be in need of food assistance in 2024, mostly on account of economic challenges and limited livelihood opportunities.
Conflict, floods, high food and fuel prices
- Nearly 17 million people, or over 53 percent of the population, were classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and above between October and December 2022. Of primary concern are the 6.1 million people classified in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and the 4.3 million people who are internally displaced as a result of the conflict.
Civil conflict, population displacement, economic slowdown
- The latest IPC analysis estimated the number of people in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) at 15.8 million, 36 percent of the population analysed, between November 2023 and March 2024.
Economic constraints, refugee influx
- Food insecurity is expected to remain fragile, given persisting economic constraints.
- About 1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar reside in the country, mainly in Cox’s Bazar District.
Conflict, economic constraints, high prices of main food staple, reduction of 2023 agricultural output
- The protracted political crisis is compromising the fragile conditions of vulnerable households and Rohingya IDPs. According to the latest figures (January 2024) from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of IDPs is estimated at about 2.6 million. Most of the IDPs are located in Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Kayin and Shan states.
- Rice production in 2023, the country’s main staple food, is forecast below the five-year average for the second consecutive year, mostly reflecting constraints on farmers’ access to agricultural inputs and unfavourable weather conditions.
- Domestic prices of “Emata” rice, the most consumed variety in the country, were at record levels as of January 2024, constraining access to a key staple food.
Weather extremes, economic constraints, high prices of the main food staple
- According to the latest IPC analysis, the number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) between November 2023 and January 2024 was projected at 11.8 million, due to the lingering effects of devastating flood impacts in 2022 and high domestic food prices.
- Prices of wheat flour, the country’s main staple, were at near-record levels in most markets in January 2024.
High food prices, natural disasters, civil insecurity
- About 4.4 million people (45 percent of the analysed population) are estimated to face severe acute food insecurity and are in need of urgent food assistance between March and June 2024. The high levels of food insecurity are the result of a sustained economic downturn, reducing domestic food production, elevated food prices, fuel shortages and frequent natural disasters. The situation is exacerbated by worsening civil insecurity, which has limited access to essential services and caused population displacements.
Economic crisis
- About 2 million people are estimated to be in need of food assistance in 2024, unchanged from a year earlier, according to Humanitarian Response Plan. In 2023, the annual inflation rate remained high at nearly 190 percent, limiting food access for the most vulnerable households. Despite some economic recovery since 2021, outflows of refugees and migrants continued in 2023 due to the lingering effects of the severe and prolonged macroeconomic crisis between 2014 and 2020.
Conflict
- The country continues to be a significant supplier of food commodities for the world. However, according to the 2023 HNO, at least 17.6 million people are estimated to be in need of multisectoral humanitarian assistance in 2024 due to the war, including over 11 million in need of food security and livelihood interventions.