Understanding the Food and Nutrition Insecurity Drivers in Some Emergency-Affected Countries in the Eastern...

This research seeks to enhance the understanding of the multifaceted drivers of food and nutrition insecurity in emergency-affected countries within the Eastern Mediterranean region and investigate the dynamics of food and nutrition security in countries facing emerging emergencies. This is a descriptive aim to determine the key factors and challenges affecting food security and nutrition status in ten countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region (Afghanistan, Djibouti, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine (Gaza Strip), Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen). The research reveals that all selected countries experienced severe levels of food insecurity, with many reaching Phase 3 or above according to the IPC classification. In 2020, Afghanistan and Yemen were particularly hard-hit, with food insecurity affecting 42% and 45% of their populations; in 2024 in Gaza and Sudan, the same figures were 93% and 54% of the population, respectively, representing worse food insecurity crises in the region. Somalia, Sudan, and Djibouti also faced significant food insecurity rates. Many key drivers of food security are standard in most countries, and the linkage between food insecurity and malnutrition levels has a similar trend in almost all countries. However, none of the countries achieved all the 2025 global nutrition targets, while some reached one or two targets. Reaching sustainable development goals is still challenging in these countries since nutrition and food security levels, included in many goals, have not yet been reached. Food security and malnutrition in emergency-affected countries are driven by conflict, political instability, natural disasters, and socioeconomic conditions, which disrupt agricultural activities and infrastructure, exacerbating these challenges. To address these issues, we recommend a multisectoral approach, conflict resolution, climate-smart agriculture, integration of emergency responses with long-term strategies, and strengthening health and nutrition information systems.