Tue 08 February 2022:
The World Food Programme (WFP) launched its regional drought response strategy for the Horn of Africa on Tuesday, requesting 37.15 billion shillings (about $327 million USD) to combat severe drought in the region.
The monies will be used to meet the immediate needs of around 4.5 million people over the next six months, according to Michael Dunford, regional director of the WFP Regional Bureau for Eastern Africa. They will also assist communities become more resilient to catastrophic climate shocks.
“The situation requires immediate humanitarian action and consistent support to build the resilience of communities for the future,” Dunford said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.
WFP warned that the Horn of Africa is experiencing the driest conditions recorded since 1981, with severe drought leaving an estimated 13 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia facing severe hunger in the first quarter of this year.
It said three consecutive failed rainy seasons have decimated crops and caused abnormally high livestock deaths.
According to WFP, shortages of water and pasture are forcing families from their homes and leading to increased conflicts between communities.
“Harvests are ruined, livestock are dying, and hunger is growing as recurrent droughts affect the Horn of Africa,” Dunford said.
WFP said further forecasts of below-average rainfall are threatening to worsen and compound dire conditions in the coming months.
It said the drought has impacted pastoral and farmer populations across southern and southeastern Ethiopia, southeastern and northern Kenya and south-central Somalia.
According to WFP, the impacts are compounded by increases in staple food prices, inflation, and low demand for agricultural labor.
It said malnutrition rates also remain high across the region and could worsen if no immediate action is taken.
“As needs across the Horn of Africa grow, immediate assistance is critical to avoid a major humanitarian crisis,” WFP said.
NEWS AGENCIES | FILE PHOTO
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