Northern Ethiopia has been struck with severe hunger and organizations are scrambling to deliver aid and food packages in the following weeks to curb “a major humanitarian catastrophe”, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced.

“WFP is extremely concerned about the deteriorating food security in northern Ethiopia, where many are already facing severe hunger,” said Chris Nikoi, interim Country Director of WFP in Ethiopia.

According to WFP, at least 6.2 million people from Afar, Amhara, Tigray, and Somali regions, have been recorded and placed in a vulnerable category.

Ethiopia remains one of the most malnourished populations in the world, as the country is subject to drought, flooding, and conflict.

The situation has additionally worsened since the start of the conflict in Sudan in April 2023, with refugees fleeing to Ethiopia and neighboring countries.

“WFP aims to reach 1.4 million people in 2024 with activities that strengthen livelihoods and food systems in Ethiopia, including schemes to harvest water, irrigate land and improve access to markets as well as providing training on agricultural best practices and post-harvest loss technologies,” UN News reports.