Annual Report on IGAD Economies: Macroeconomic Developments, Climatic Shocks and the State of Food Security in IGAD 2018

The Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) is a regional bloc formed by eight countries in the horn of Africa region (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda). The region is highly vulnerable to recurrent climatic and human-made shocks. Historically, social crisis and loss of lives from such shocks have been massive. Recent experiences, however, are promising in that joint efforts of governments, regional institutions, development partners, humanitarian organizations, donor communities, have managed to curtail the climatic shocks from causing excessive damage to the Region. This report on IGAD Economies has, thus, picked the state of climatic shocks and food security as a timely thematic topic worth reviewing. The report also provides an overview of the macroeconomic landscape of the Region. The first part of the report highlights key developments in the IGAD economies. The macroeconomic review covers selected indicators that help observe developments through time and comparisons across countries. The second part of the report summarizes the state of climatic shocks, the prevailing response mechanisms, and progresses so far in coordinating efforts of several stakeholders. The findings highlighted increased stakeholders’ commitments and commendable results so far achieved in emergency responses, with all its shortcomings. The pervasive nature of the problems ( climatic shocks, mainly drought and flood), however, necessitates deepening of efforts to ensure robust developments that enhance countries capabilities in preventing and efficiently responding to climatic disasters.