Spatio-temporal characteristics of drought and its impact on local food security: the case of Libokemkem and Ebinat district, Northwestern Ethiopia

Drought is often considered the most costly and widespread natural hazard, profoundly impacting global socioeconomic growth. The spatiotemporal distribution of drought severity is less evident in northwestern Ethiopia’s highlands. This study was conducted in food-insecure and drought-prone districts of Libokemkem and Ebinatin in northwestern Ethiopia. Using satellite data and socioeconomic indicators, we employed an integrated approach to analyze the characteristics of drought and its impact on local food security. The vegetation condition index (VCI), the standard precipitation evaporation index (SPEI), rainfall deviation, the timing of the growing season, and socioeconomic indicators derived from farmers’ practice data are used to evaluate the impact of rainfall variability on food availability, vegetation, and drought dynamics. The result revealed a significant drought impact during the growing season over the study period (2000–2022). As indicated by the Standardized Precipitation Evaporation index, severe (< − 1.5) and moderate (> − 1.49) drought conditions were observed during approximately 39% and 30% of the growing season in the Libokemkem and 17% and 21% in Ebinat, respectively. Vegetation stress was observed in eight out of 23 study years. Ebinat district experienced extreme drought conditions during the years, severe drought captured over Libokemkem, with both districts experiencing enhanced local food insecurity differently. Our study shows that identifying drought during the growing season is crucial due to its significant impact on vegetation and local food security. This study highlights the need for an integrated monitoring approach to capture the spatiotemporal distribution of drought and vegetation to allow for timely, targeted, and continuous intervention to reduce local food insecurity.