Kampala: The number of acutely malnourished children in the Karamoja region of northeastern Uganda is expected to rise by 25% by October 2026, with El Ni±o-related dry spells significantly impacting children's health, Save the Children said.
According to African Press Organization, new figures from the global hunger monitor, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), show the number of children suffering from acute malnutrition has risen from 122,100 to 154,200 since a previous assessment in June. This increase means 32,100 additional children now require malnutrition support.
Included in these figures are an estimated 38,800 children suffering or expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition, the most critical form of malnutrition which requires urgent medical attention.
The data indicates that general food insecurity in Uganda's Karamoja region, which is home to about 1.6 million people, has worsened dramatically in just a few months, with the numbers facing crisis or emergency situations rising by more than 40%.
The number of people facing emergency food insecurity conditions has nearly tripled, with households exhausting resources, skipping multiple meals, or running out of food entirely.
Drought-prone parts of Uganda and East Africa are experiencing the effects of the super El Ni±o, with below-average rainfall contributing to lower harvests, reduced agricultural output, localized crop failures, and plant stress, said Save the Children.