Greater Horn of Africa Food Insecurity and Health Crisis, Strategic Response Plan (August 2026–January 2027)
Overview
The Greater Horn of Africa (GHoA) is facing a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian and public health crisis driven by conflict, displacement, recurrent climate shocks, disease outbreaks, economic instability and severe food insecurity. These overlapping shocks are disrupting livelihoods and essential health services and increasing the risk of preventable illness and death.
Across Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan, more than 37.8 million people are experiencing or projected to experience acute food insecurity. Over 4.9 million children are projected to suffer acute malnutrition, including more than 1.5 million children requiring treatment for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
Rising acute malnutrition is occurring alongside recurrent outbreaks of measles, cholera, malaria, dengue and other epidemic-prone diseases. Children under five, pregnant and lactating women, displaced populations and communities with limited access to essential services are among those at greatest risk.
WHO’s Strategic Response Plan for August 2026–January 2027 prioritizes emergency coordination and leadership, surveillance and early warning, community protection, safe and scalable life-saving health and nutrition services, and strategic advocacy and resource mobilization.
WHO is supporting Member States and partners to deliver an integrated, evidence-based response in high-risk settings to prevent avoidable mortality, maintain essential health services and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable populations and health systems.
Related documents
Greater Horn of Africa Food Insecurity and Health Crisis, Situation Report No. 1 (April–June 2026)