Fighting famine in East and Central Africa
Millions of people across Africa are facing a severe food crisis. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is responding to bring life-saving support to the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities.
Since the end of 2016, the African continent is facing an unprecedented rise in food insecurity. Millions of people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, particularly where consecutively poor rainfall, rising food prices and insecurity continues to worsen the situation. At no other time in recent history has severe hunger and starvation loomed so large.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement response builds on its efforts to improve resilience and provide social protection. Our presence in thousands of communities across the region allows us to offer vital support where it is most needed.
Download regional response PDF
Cash-based interventions are transforming the way humanitarian aid is being delivered. We have seen a dramatic increase in the use of cash globally by 40 per cent between 2015 and 2016 (State of the World’s Cash Report, 2018). At least 28 countries in …
I ran out with my brother’s granddaughter. I fell so she left me on the ground. Then I heard a big gunshot pass one of my ears. I laid down right on the street. Photos and written by: Corrie Butler For weeks, Abdalla Erewua, 75, had sat on a mat in fro …
In pictures: Women tackle hunger in South Sudan Seeds and tools for mothers provide boost to family’s nutrition and livelihoods Written and photos by Corrie Butler Mary, Regina and Angelina stand proudly in front of the new garden they have built in th …
Press releases on the crises
Concurrent, killer cholera outbreaks in East Africa and Yemen are compounding famine risk in three countries, the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned UN Member States today.
Kenya
Earlier this year, Kenya declared a national drought emergency, with 23 of its 47 counties currently affected. The number of people not getting enough or adequate food in the country has more than doubled – from 1.3 million to 2.7 million.
Somalia
A combination of pervasive insecurity, combined with recurrent drought and chronic underdevelopment has left millions of Somalis in need of urgent and sustained humanitarian assistance. Nearly three million people in the country are facing crisis.