2.3M livestock dead; crop failure in 80% farmlands. UN Humanitarian Chief Martin Griffiths: 'Humanitarian catastrophe looms without $4.5B aid.' Somalia reports 150 child deaths weekly at Dadaab camp. Appeal launched 10 AM EST for immediate funds.

UN Horn of Africa Drought Crisis Alert Dec 18

UN Warns of Severe Drought in Horn of Africa Affecting 25M People

December 18, 2025 • 1 min read • un , drought

Image: Pexels

UN report released December 18, 2025, at 9 AM EST alerts to worst drought in 40 years hitting Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, impacting 25 million amid failed rains since October.

Overview

New York, December 18, 2025 – UN OCHA released a report at 9:00 AM EST warning of unprecedented drought in Horn of Africa, affecting 25 million across Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya. Fourth failed rainy season since October 2024 exacerbates crisis.

Key Developments

2.3M livestock dead; crop failure in 80% farmlands.
UN Humanitarian Chief Martin Griffiths: 'Humanitarian catastrophe looms without $4.5B aid.'
Somalia reports 150 child deaths weekly at Dadaab camp.
Appeal launched 10 AM EST for immediate funds.

Analysis

Factor	Current Status	Implications
Economic	$4.5B aid gap; GDP drop 15%	Mass migration, food prices surge 300%
Political	Cross-border cooperation urged	Strains regional stability, piracy risks
Social	25M at risk, 40% acute malnutrition	Refugee influx to Europe, Yemen conflict spillover

Expert Reactions

Oxfam director Danny Sriskandarajah: 'Climate change amplified disaster.' WHO's Tedros Adhanom: 'Health systems collapsing.'

What's Next

Donor conference January 15, 2026, in Geneva; aid deliveries ramp up by December 25.

Written by Staff UN News