Millions at Risk: The Impact of Ongoing Drought on Food Security and Malnutrition in [Country]

The ongoing drought conditions in the country have led to food insecurity for more than 20 million people, according to a recent analysis by WFP on Drought Hotspots. This is due to the 2023-24 El Niño phenomenon that has caused drought conditions across the country.

The impact of this crisis is expected to be significant, with various regions experiencing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes until September 2024. Some areas may even escalate to Crisis status by August due to challenges with harvests and increasing food insecurity.

The consequences of this crisis are expected to be severe, with a high number of wasting cases and an increase in admissions for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). In 2024, more than 5,000 cases of SAM were reported, representing a significant increase from the previous year. Additionally, there is a concerning prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in provinces affected by drought.

This situation highlights the urgent need for immediate action and interventions to address the heightened risk of malnutrition and food insecurity in the affected regions. It is crucial that steps are taken now to prevent a potential food crisis that could emerge as a consequence of the ongoing drought conditions and their impact on food production.