Failed rains, high food and fuel prices and conflict in the Horn of Africa have resulted in a large scale food crisis stretching four countries and affecting over 10 million people. Humanitarian organizations across Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are rapidly scaling up operations to manage the escalating emergency.

Following Al-Shabaab’s announcement to lift a ban on foreign aid, agencies are able to expand operations into southern Somalia, one of the worst hit areas.

Consistently high prices and low food availability threaten to extend the area of impact, including into the region’s urban centers. The severity of the crisis in the affected areas is evident in the exceptionally high rates of acute child malnutrition.

The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) is ready to respond and support the humanitarian community in their emergency operations.