East Africa is currently suffering from one of the world's worst hunger crises. Conflict and instability in several countries, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, are exacerbating the crisis.
Displacement, loss of livelihoods and disruption of food production have all resulted from conflict. It has also disrupted trade and increased the cost of food beyond the reach of many people.
As a result, millions of people are going hungry and suffering from severe malnutrition. The hunger crisis has exacerbated malnutrition, with nearly one in every four East African children under the age of five suffering from chronic malnutrition.
Consequently, child mortality has increased, with malnutrition being one of the leading causes of death in children in the region. The effects of climate change, such as droughts, floods and extreme temperatures, have exacerbated the situation.
Political unrest, such as civil wars and uprisings, has also contributed to the crisis by disrupting food supply chains. A civil war in Ethiopia has displaced thousands of people, resulting in a scarcity of food and other basic necessities.
The ongoing conflict in Somalia has forced millions to flee their homes, leaving those who remain in peril. Reports of starvation deaths in post-coup Sudan have emerged in recent months, highlighting a growing food emergency that is spreading from rural to urban areas.
A five-year civil war in South Sudan resulted in mass displacement, disrupted food production and severe food shortages. An estimated 4 million people were internally displaced or fled the country, increasing the number of refugees, many of whom lacked access to food and basic services.
The recent uptick in inter-communal violence and attacks threaten to destabilise the peace process, and dire humanitarian conditions in large parts of South Sudan have reemphasised the importance of improving security and meeting the basic protection needs of its civilians.
Farmers were unable to plant or harvest crops due to the violence, resulting in nationwide food shortages. Insecurity in the region continues to impede humanitarian supply routes.
The combination of conflict and hunger is a recipe for disaster, with disastrous results. Hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of starvation, and many more are malnourished. This is a crisis that must not be overlooked.
To address the region's hunger crisis, both short-term and long-term strategies are required. Governments and humanitarian organisations must act quickly to address the root causes of conflict and provide desperately needed relief to those affected.
Numerous people's lives have already been lost as a result of this crisis, which has inflicted immense suffering. It serves as a sobering reminder of the region's need for peace, conflict resolution and climate change mitigation.
Only by taking these steps will we be able to address the East African hunger and malnutrition crisis, and ensure that everyone has access to the resources and opportunities needed to improve their lives.
Communications specialist who writes commentary on human rights and current affairs issues in Eastern Africa
