East Africa in Crisis: The Disasters Worsening Lives and the Solutions That Can Save Them

 East Africa in Crisis: The Disasters Worsening Lives and the Solutions That Can Save Them

By Tahir Ali Shah

East Africa is currently experiencing one of the world's most severe and complex humanitarian crises. Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan are struggling with a deadly combination of conflict, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, and displacement. Despite staggering needs, humanitarian funding remains alarmingly low in 2024. This lack of funding is obstructing life-saving assistance and worsening suffering across the region.

The most pressing disaster at the moment is drought. The Horn of Africa has just endured its longest dry spell in 40 years. In parts of Somalia, Ethiopia, and northern Kenya, rainfall failed for four consecutive seasons between 2020 and 2023. Rivers have dried up, crops have withered, and millions of livestock, which are essential for pastoralist communities, have perished. For those who depend on farming and herding, this situation represents not just a loss of income but an end to their entire way of life.

This drought is directly linked to climate change. Global warming has altered weather patterns, making rainfall less reliable and droughts more frequent and intense. While wealthy countries continue to produce the most emissions, East African communities are bearing the brunt of the consequences.

In addition to the climate crisis, armed conflict exacerbates the situation. In Ethiopia, civil war in the Tigray region has displaced over 2 million people. In South Sudan, intercommunal violence and political instability, compounded by flooding, have forced families to flee repeatedly. Somalia is engaged in a struggle against extremist groups like Al-Shabaab, which puts civilians at constant risk.

When families are forced to leave their homes, they often lose everything. Children drop out of school, and parents find it difficult to secure work or food. Many end up in crowded camps or informal settlements, with limited access to clean water, healthcare, or protection.

Currently, over 25 million people in East Africa are displaced or in need of humanitarian assistance, and this number will likely grow if the situation does not change. The economic aspect of the crisis is equally alarming. With reduced food production, rising inflation, and limited access to global markets, food prices have surged. A simple meal of maize and beans has become unaffordable for many families, leading to a rapid increase in malnutrition, particularly among children under five and pregnant women.

In some regions, humanitarian aid is the only thing keeping people alive. However, funding shortages and access issues often render this lifeline unreliable. Despite these challenges, solutions are available. However, they require increased global attention, stronger local leadership, and long-term commitment from donors and governments. Here are five major solutions that could help turn the tide:

1. Local farmers need access to drought-resistant seeds, better irrigation, and early warning systems. Governments should also promote water harvesting and reforestation to protect natural resources.2. Political instability and local conflicts must be addressed through community-led peacebuilding initiatives, reconciliation programs, and inclusive governance. Peace is essential for development. 3. Urgent funding is needed for food aid, health services, clean water, and emergency shelter. Donors must act quickly, especially before crises worsen. 4. Aid should empower local organizations and communities rather than replace them. Training for youth, supporting women-led initiatives, and investing in local leadership are crucial for sustainable change. And 5. In addition to short-term aid, long-term investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation are necessary. These investments can reduce poverty and help communities recover and grow stronger after disasters.

East Africa is a region filled with potential. Its people are creative, determined, and hopeful. In the face of immense challenges, communities are supporting each other, local volunteers are stepping up, and young people are advocating for justice and change.

However, they cannot do it alone. The world must pay attention—not just when crises dominate the headlines, but also before they occur. East Africa does not need pity; it needs partnership, action, and respect. If we respond wisely, generously, and proactively, we can save lives and build a stronger, fairer future.

Humanitarian Needs and Funding Status (2023 vs 2024)

Country	Year	People in Need	People Targeted	Funding Requirement (USD)	Funding Achieved	% Funded	Key Impact / Challenges
Ethiopia	2023	28.6 million	Not stated	~$4 billion	$1.2 billion	30%	Only 30% of targeted beneficiaries received aid; severe shortfalls in food, health, and basic services.
	2024	28.6 million	6 million	$4 billion	$287 million	13%	Cholera outbreaks, conflict (Oromia, Amhara), and floods are worsening; aid delivery critically underfunded.
Somalia	2023	8.25 million	7.6 million	$2.6 billion	Not stated	46%	Drought, floods, and insecurity continue to drive displacement and hunger.
	2024	6.9 million	5.2 million	$1.6 billion	~$640 million	40%	Clusters are underfunded; food insecurity and displacement remain high.
South Sudan	2023	9.4 million	6.8 million	$2.1 billion	Not stated	56.2% (for revised HRP)	Conflict and underfunding have disrupted basic services.
	2024	9.3 million	6 million	$1.8 billion	$1.1 billion	64%	Influx of returnees from Sudan and internal conflict strains response capacity.

 

Crisis Deep Dive

Ethiopia: Triple Crisis

• Facing conflict in Oromia and Amhara, a worsening cholera outbreak, and seasonal floods.
• Nearly 9 million children under five are at risk of acute malnutrition.
• Food aid suspension by WFP/USAID in 2023 due to diversion allegations exacerbated hunger.
• Access constraints and rising violence threaten the reach of humanitarian actors.

Somalia: Climate Extremes and Fragility

• Suffering from rapid swings between drought and floods, displacing over 1.2 million.
• 4.3 million people face food insecurity in 2024.
• Al-Shabaab insecurity and poor infrastructure hinder aid delivery.
• Most humanitarian clusters received under 50% of needed funds.

South Sudan: Conflict and Returnees

• Ongoing violence, severe flooding, and chronic poverty remain drivers of need.
• Over 700,000 returnees and refugees from Sudan since 2023.
• Over 75% of the population requires aid in 2024.
• During rainy season, 60% of the country becomes inaccessible by road.

Cross-Cutting Themes

Theme	Insight
Climate Shocks	East Africa is a climate hotspot facing drought-flood cycles within the same year.
Donor Fatigue	Global crises (Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan) have drawn attention away from East Africa.
Access Barriers	Bureaucratic delays, insecurity, and poor infrastructure limit humanitarian operations.
Localization Gap	Less than 10% of humanitarian funding reaches national/local NGOs directly.

Call to Action

1. Scale Up Funding: Immediate donor support is needed to meet the 2024 HRPs. Prioritize life-saving sectors such as food, health, nutrition, and WASH.
2. Flexible, Multi-Year Funding: Donors should commit to long-term, adaptable funding to build resilience and reduce year-on-year emergencies.
3. Support Local Actors: Direct funding to local NGOs and civil society ensures quicker, context-relevant responses.
4. Enable Access: Governments must facilitate humanitarian operations by easing visa, customs, and travel restrictions.
5. Innovate Response: Expand anticipatory action, pooled funding, and cash-based programming to boost impact and efficiency.

 Sources

• OCHA HRPs (2023 & 2024)
• Donare.info
• UNICEF, WFP, Nutrition Cluster
• Addis Standard, The Guardian, AP News, Vox Africa, FTL Somalia

This brief is intended for advocacy with humanitarian donors, policymakers, and coordination bodies. The humanitarian crisis in East Africa must not become a forgotten emergency.

About the Author:
Tahir Ali Shah is a humanitarian professional with over 20 years of experience managing protection and development programs across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. He has worked extensively in refugee response, child protection, and humanitarian advocacy and can be reached at tshaha@gmail.com