Famine in the Horn of Africa: Doctors of the World Intervention

In the Horn of Africa, the dire reality is that one person succumbs to hunger every 48 seconds. This tragic outcome is fueled by a confluence of factors: global warming, persistent conflicts, economic downturns, and inflation. The El Niño phenomenon, coupled with insufficient rainfall, has triggered a resurgence of drought in key regions of Ethiopia, including Afar, Amhara, Tigray, Oromia, and parts of Somalia.

This precarious situation erects formidable barriers, hindering communities from accessing fundamental services such as clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. In many areas, obtaining medical assistance has become an insurmountable challenge, with health facilities being pillaged and vaccination efforts grinding to a halt. Amidst this humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, Doctors of the World is tirelessly working to combat famine, alleviate malnutrition, and bolster local healthcare systems.

CRISIS IN THE HORN OF AFRICA: UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEXT

The Horn of Africa encompasses Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, and Kenya.

ONGOING CONFLICTS
 

• Armed clashes persist in Sudan.
• Somalia continues to grapple with internal strife.
• The conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region remains unresolved.
   

INTERNATIONAL IMPLICATIONS
 

• The economic fallout from the pandemic, compounded by the Ukrainian conflict, has led to widespread inflation.
• The region’s heavy reliance on Ukrainian wheat and corn exacerbates the situation.

IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
 

• The northeastern regions of the Horn of Africa have endured five consecutive years of severe drought.
• Consequences include livestock losses, water scarcity, and agricultural devastation.
• Conversely, the southern parts of the region experience extreme and sudden flooding.
• The cyclical climatic events of La Niña and El Niño further exacerbate the displacement of populations.
   

12 million Ethiopian children are grappling with malnutrition, urgently requiring nutritional interventions, as reported by OCHA in 2024. This crisis at the intersection of food and health bears grave repercussions, including the resurgence of epidemics like diarrhea, malaria, and pneumonia, as well as stunted growth in children and psychological distress stemming from ongoing insecurity.

OUR RESPONSE TO FAMINE AND MALNUTRITION IN THE HORN OF AFRICA

Without robust intervention bolstered by international support, the humanitarian situation is poised to deteriorate further, marked by escalating food insecurity and challenges in accessing clean water. To address this pressing issue, Doctors of the World is actively engaged in Ethiopia, facilitating community access to healthcare services and malnutrition treatment through:

• Support for local health centers, including training medical teams in malnutrition detection and treatment.
• Rehabilitation and restocking of medicines for health centers impacted by conflict-related looting and damage.
• Provision of psychological first aid training for medical teams, addressing the prevalent post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from conflict-related violence.

The urgency of the situation necessitates expanded interventions, particularly in Kenya’s Marsabit region in the north. Here, similar alarming health and food crises persist, compounded by governance challenges, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to essential services, exacerbating feelings of marginalization and social tensions.

In these regions, dwindling health indicators and declining vaccination rates underscore the urgent need for intervention, as failing health systems strain to meet escalating demands. It is of utmost urgency that the international community take immediate action to slow down the rate of famine and address the serious ramifications of the climate crisis. 

Photographs

MdM Germany