Concern responds as millions impacted by severe drought in Horn of Africa

“Successive failed rains, combined with extreme temperatures have led to severe water shortages, crop failure, food shortages, rising malnutrition rates, and livestock deaths across large regions of the Horn of Africa,” Concern Worldwide’s Regional Director Amina Abdulla explained.

The October to December rainy season was exceptionally poor in the region, with some areas receiving less than 30 percent of average rainfall. Water points have dried up. The price of water and food is soaring. Malnutrition levels remain high across the region, affecting more than eight million children under-five and over 1.3 million pregnant and breastfeeding women. 

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has warned that worsening food insecurity is expected to persist, with nearly 36 million people in Burundi, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda projected to face crisis levels of food insecurity (IPC 3 or higher) before the next rainy season commences in March or April. 

“Many communities were still only recovering from the drought of 2021-23 – the worst in 60 years – only to be faced with another drought. Our teams are on the ground working with impacted communities by providing cash supports to help them meet their basic needs.  Urgent action is immediately needed by the international community to mitigate the impact of the drought,” Ms Abdulla said. 

“We saw how that the humanitarian response during the 2021-23 drought saved lives and livelihoods – it was a good example of how and when international support works,” Concern’s Country Director for Somalia, Richard Nunn said. “But the current drought is occurring in the wake of recent funding cuts which have resulted in significant gaps across the humanitarian response.  Just 27% of the humanitarian funding needed for Somalia was provided in 2025.” 

“We appeal to the international community and the global public to keep eyes on Somalia and to step up financial support to maintain life-saving functions, recovery solutions, critical information sharing channels, data gathering systems and advocacy networks.” 

Crop harvests have been poor, with harvests just 10% of average in parts of Somalia.    Declines in pasture and water availability are undermining animal health and milk production.  This is impacting low-income households’ access to food and income in pastoral areas. 

The health of livestock is deteriorating quickly, with reports of animals dying, including drought-tolerant camels. Assessments across Gedo, Bay, Bakool, Lower Juba and Shabelle regions of Somalia found that in some areas livestock losses for households were exceptionally high, with community reports that up to 90% of animals have died in affected districts. Some reports estimate more than 60,000 animals have died and around 120,000 are in critical condition as a result of the drought. 

One of the regions impacted by the drought is the “Mandera Triangle” straddling the Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia border. Concern is implementing the Hanaano (which means ‘nurture’ in Somali) programme there in the global fight against child wasting.

The Irish Aid funded programme combines community-based prevention of acute malnutrition with critical livelihood support, water and sanitation, and systems strengthening.  It is delivered through a locally led, cross-border approach in one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world.

“As a result of this sustained investment, community systems in these communities are stronger, early identification of child wasting is in place, and households have improved knowledge and resilience. Without this, the current drought would almost certainly be resulting in significantly higher levels of acute malnutrition and loss of life,” Hanaano programme director Suzanne Flood explained.

“However, the scale and frequency of climate shocks are intensifying. While Hanaano has strengthened resilience, needs are growing faster than available resources. Additional support is essential to prevent repeated crises from reversing development gains and pushing more children into life-threatening malnutrition.”

Supported by Irish Aid, FCDO and ECHO and working with government and local leadership, Concern is providing cash payments to impacted households in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. “Cash assistance is the most effective way to support households — particularly mothers of young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and female-headed households — to meet urgent food, water and basic health needs with dignity and flexibility,” Ms Flood said. 

Where access to safe water has critically deteriorated due to drying water sources, emergency water trucking complements the cash payments — particularly in non-riverine and water-scarce communities — reducing health risks and easing the burden on women and children responsible for water collection.

“The Irish Aid funding is helping prevent further deterioration in child nutrition, preserve livelihoods, and maintain essential gains achieved through years of sustained partnership and investment,” Ms Flood said.

“But the situation remains fragile. As climate shocks become more frequent and severe across the Horn of Africa, the needs in the Mandera Triangle are immense. Ireland’s flexible and anticipatory funding is making a tangible difference — yet continued and expanded support will be critical to ensure vulnerable families are not left behind as this drought deepens.”

For media queries contact Nicole Bayes-Fleming, Senior Communications Officer at [email protected]