Approximately 8.6 million people (24 percent of the analysed population) in parts of Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan are facing high levels of acute food insecurity between March to June 2024 with 1.6 million people in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and 7 million people in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). Of the 47 rural districts analysed, 20 have between 30 and 45 percent of their populations in IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse).

The analysed districts have been severely affected by a series of climatic shocks, including the aftermath of devastating 2022 flooding and 2023 monsoon rains. In addition to climatic shocks - high food, fuel, and agricultural input prices, exacerbated by poor political and economic conditions, as well as livestock diseases and mild drought conditions in several parts of Sindh and Balochistan are also driving acute food insecurity. Urgent action is required to protect their livelihoods and reduce food consumption gaps.

The IPC acute food insecurity analysis in Pakistan covered 47 flood affected/vulnerable rural districts. These districts spread across Balochistan (21), Sindh (15), and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (11) and account for approximately 35.6 million people or 15 percent of Pakistan’s total population.

The situation is projected to improve slightly between July and November 2024 (Monsoon and post-harvest summer crop season) with 7.9 million people (22 percent of the analysed population) facing high levels of acute food insecurity representing an 8 percent decrease from the current analysis period.