Nearly 10 million people across Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda are facing a food crisis (IPC Phase 3 or worse), representing a 4.3% increase since January 2025.
South Sudan alone accounts for approximately 61% of the affected population across these four countries.
According to the latest report from the East and Central Africa Food Security and Nutrition Working Group (FSNWG), conflicts and insecurity, climate shocks and hazards, and macroeconomic challenges continue to exacerbate food insecurity across the region.
The prevalence of insufficient food consumption (IFC), however, remains unchanged from the previous month in all monitored countries across East, Southern, and West Africa, except Nigeria, which saw a 1% improvement, equivalent to 2.1 million people.
In Ethiopia, the number of people facing acute food insecurity and needing food assistance remains at 15.8 million“The incidence of IFC also remains stable in majority of the monitored countries across the continent, compared toa year ago, but lower in Nigeria and Zimbabwe by 5% and 11.7% respectively”, the report reveals.
However, it remains significantly higher in Ghana (55.5%), Rwanda (38.4%), South Sudan (53.1%), Togo (42.1%), and Uganda (125%) compared to a year ago.
On Food Commodity Prices, Tanzania registered the lowest price for maize across five East African countries, at USD 289, while Kenya has the highest price at USD 421.
In local currency, the price of maize is well above what was registered a year ago, except in Ethiopia when it dropped by 4.17%.
Primarily, price fluctuations were influenced by stock shortages caused by seasonal variations and the high demand for maize from the southern region.
EXPLAINER: The IPC classifies food security situations into five phases:
Phase 1: Minimal/None
Phase 2: Stressed
Phase 3: Crisis
Phase 4: Emergency
Phase 5: Catastrophe/Famine
By Margaret Kalekye
