The unmet demand of food security in East Africa: review of the triple challenges of climate change, economic crises, and conflicts

Abstract
East Africa struggles with a profound challenge in ensuring food security amidst the convergence of climate change,
economic crises, and conficts. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the interconnected and compounding efects of these three factors on the region’s food security landscape. It investigates the complex ways in which shifting climatic patterns disrupt agricultural systems, exacerbating food scarcity and amplifying vulnerabilities among marginalized communities. The study also examines the intertwined impact of economic downturns, which diminish access to resources, disrupt supply chains, and deepen food insecurity. Furthermore, the paper scrutinizes the ramifcations of persistent conficts, which not only displace populations but also destabilize agricultural production, aggravating food
shortages. To achieve the objective of this, review the authors have collected the relevant documents through search
engines of Web of Science, Google, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Science Direct databases. This review found that climate
change, economic instability, and confict are the primary challenges to food security in East Africa. Climate change
exacerbates extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and pest infestations, reducing agricultural productivity and
economic growth. Economic instability stems from a lack of industrialization, dependence on foreign aid, and signifcant
investment gaps, resulting in persistent poverty and underdevelopment. Additionally, confict and instability disrupt
agricultural activities, displace populations, and restrict access to essential resources, further aggravating food insecurity.
The study emphasizes the necessity for coordinated eforts among governments, international organizations, and local
communities to navigate these intersecting crises and establish sustainable pathways toward enhanced food security
in the region.

Keywords East Africa · Food security · Climate change · Economic crises · Conficts · Hunger · Agriculture · Vulnerability