Built on a foundation of strong, national response plans, this Revised Regional Emergency Appeal provides an overarching structure for hunger crisis responses across the continent. It consolidates the IFRC’s operational planning and coordination for collective impact. The current Emergency Appeal coverage is 19% Federation-wide (CHF 59 million) and has reached 1.53 million people with assistance. The Emergency Appeal has been revised and extended until December 2024 to allow National Societies to 1) address current peaks of acute food insecurity (in the West and Southern Africa, as well as parts of Eastern Africa); 2) to finalize their Zero Hunger plans, addressing the root causes of food insecurity in communities; 3) continue sustained Humanitarian Diplomacy and fundraising for this appeal and long-term plans.
Key events in the Hunger Crisis 2021-2023
May 2021: The Government of Somalia declares a National Emergency due to the drought situation and calls for support in responding to the humanitarian crisis. This is the third consecutive failed rainy season in Somalia. The IFRC launches a DREF which is later scaled-up to an Emergency Appeal to respond to the first phase of this Hunger Crisis.
July 2021: The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Horn of Africa, West Africa, Sahel, and Southern Africa begin to report that communities need support as the Hunger Crisis escalates due the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19, and the rising prices of fuel and basic commodities.
July 2021: To avert disaster, the IFRC responds by launching a Call for Action in September 2021 together with Emergency Appeals and DREFs in the most critical countries with high food insecurity indicators.
February 2022: The Ukraine crisis begins affecting the supply of wheat and fertiliser and adds to price increases in fuel and basic commodities.
May 2022: The Hunger Crisis continues to escalate across the continent affecting the Horn of Africa, West Africa and the Sahel, and Madagascar in addition to growing concerns in Southern Africa, brought about by both the climate and economic crises. March to May rains fail in East Africa affecting millions in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia bringing the worst drought conditions in 40 years.
September 2022: The IFRC launches the Africa Hunger Crisis Emergency Appeal seeking CHF 205 million (Federation-wide) to support 7.6m people across 14 countries.
April 2023: Conflict escalates in Sudan, resulting in widespread internal and cross-border displacement and disruptions in crossborder trade. Neighbouring countries: South Sudan, Egypt, Chad, Ethiopia, Libya, and the CAR grapple with a surge in refugees and returnees, which overstretches available resources within host communities.
July 2023: Meteorological agencies begin to raise the alarm about developing El Niño conditions. Between October 2023 to March 2024, El Niño is expected to result in wetter than average conditions in Eastern Africa and drier than average conditions in Southern Africa.
July 2023: Nigeria’s government declares a state of emergency due to rising prices of food and food shortages.
October 2023: The IFRC revises the Africa Hunger Crisis Emergency Appeal and Operational Strategy as a result of the increased needs for Mauritania, Djibouti, and Burkina Faso as well as the impact of El Niño.