Djibo town (Sahel) has been surrounded by non-state armed groups for a year, preventing people and goods from entering or leaving, and food insecurity continues to deteriorate. In January 2023, basic food prices reached record highs compared to the five-year average because of the lack of market supply and food shortages, with a 642% increase for millet, 596% for sorghum, and 597% for maize. Access to water is also a concern as several water points have been destroyed by armed groups. Food reserves are almost exhausted in Djibo, where the population reaches approximately 360,000 people, of whom 75% are IDPs. Humanitarian access remains limited because of attacks by armed groups against supply convoys on the roads to the town. Helicopter supplies provide reduced assistance because of their cost and the inability to transport sufficient amounts of goods to address the population’s needs. More frequent reports of deaths attributed to hunger raise fears of a risk of famine-like conditions (IPC Phase 5) for February–September 2023.
Since 28 February 2023, clashes between armed gangs over territorial control have increased across the country. Clashes and crossfire have led to confinements and the temporary or permanent closure of some medical centres and forced the temporary suspension of some humanitarian activities. Violence continues to limit the access of people in need to aid. In the city of Port-au-Prince, at least 3,640 people (over 1,000 households) have been displaced since the end of February. Among those displaced, around 1,500 are living in overcrowded IDP camps near combat zones, facing a lack of food, water, hygiene kits, and protection assistance. The spread of violence to the northwest of the country has affected Artibonite department, leaving at least 3,000 additional people displaced since the end of February. Agricultural production has also been affected by the looting of crops and livestock. Protection needs have increased, especially for girls and women, who are more exposed to different forms of gender-based violence, including sexual abuse, kidnapping, and trafficking.
Cyclone Freddy made landfall in Malawi’s Southern Region on 12 March, near the city of Nsanje, bringing torrential rainfall and strong winds that caused landslides and flooding. As at 14 March, over 59,000 people have been affected across the country, and an estimated 19,000 displaced. Nearly 200 fatalities were reported, as well as 584 injuries and 37 missing people. Most of the displaced are being hosted in public buildings such as schools and churches. Malawi’s Government announced a state of emergency in the ten hardest-hit districts in the Southern Region. Schools were closed in those areas. While the country is already experiencing the worst cholera outbreak in two decades, further stressing the health system, flooding is likely to compound health needs in the country. There is an urgent need for assistance across all sectors.