Project profile — East Africa Drought - Humanitarian Response - UNICEF 2019

June 2019 - Two years after the 2016-2017 drought brought Somalia and parts of Ethiopia to the brink of famine, severe climatic conditions are again pushing the Horn of Africa towards a major humanitarian emergency. Currently, an estimated 11.4 million people are facing acute food insecurity due to drought or displacement in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda. Without immediate humanitarian action, it is estimated that as many as 17 million people across the region could be acutely food insecure as soon as August. With support from GAC and other international donors, UNICEF is addressing the varied humanitarian needs of more than 5.4 million vulnerable drought-affected people, including more than 3.2 million children, in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda. Project activities include: (1) providing life-saving nutrition and other medical services; (2) provision of safe water and adequate gender-sensitive sanitation facilities; and (3) child protection interventions, such as psycho-social support and safe spaces for those facing increased risk due to drought-related displacement or other hardships.

The expected results for this project include: (1) decreased risk of morbidity or mortality due to malnutrition and disease; (2) increased access to safe water; and (3) decreased protection risks facing women and children amongst drought-affected populations in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved, suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.

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