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Global hunger, famine & food security

Emergency food crisis

An extreme lack of food is causing severe hunger and malnutrition across South Sudan, Yemen and the Horn of Africa.

East Africa is in the grip of a devastating food crisis.  More than 22 million people are affected by the drought in South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, and at least 15 million are going hungry.

Oxfam is on the ground in each of these regions, providing lifesaving food, clean water and sanitation to families who are in desperate need of help.

This is the largest hunger emergency in the world. While there are differences between each of these crises, we know that each situation will get worse in the coming months unless urgent help is delivered to those at risk.

This is a crisis we cannot ignore. Worsening hunger and the threat of famine are imminent, but not yet inevitable. We can still prevent a catastrophic loss of life if we act now.

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Who is affected?

South Sudan

In South Sudan 4.5 million people are severely food insecure and almost two thirds of the population are in need of emergency assistance.

Nyaruach had to flee her home in Leer, South Sudan to protect her family. Photo: Bruno Bierrenbach Feder/Oxfam

Horn of Africa

Across the Horn of Africa 15 million people are in need of emergency food and water due to severe drought across Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya. Unable to recover from prolonged drought conditions, many families have been stretched to their limits.

Maryama lives in the the Somali Region of Ethiopia. She told Oxfam she desperately needed food, water and medicine for her children. Photo: Tina Hillier/Oxfam

How is Oxfam responding?

Oxfam is on the ground, reaching the most affected with the emergency help they need to survive. We are:

  • Working with local partner organisations who provide emergency food distributions and work with vulnerable people to produce their own food and other income.
  • Providing emergency water and sanitation, to stop the spread of diseases like cholera and diarrhea.
  • Providing cash and vouchers so people can purchase the food they need to survive
  • Trucking in urgently needed water to the worst drought affected areas
  • Constructing showers and toilets for those who have been forced to flee their homes

We can stop the worst from happening. You can save lives by supporting Oxfam’s work providing emergency help to those who need it most.

Donate now