Hunger has spiked in the Horn of Africa as the drought worsened. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), around 13 million people are facing acute hunger issues.
Increasing deaths of livestock and decimated crops are the consequences of three consecutive failures of rainy seasons. This, along with water and bread shortages are forcing people out of their homes, which in turn leads to communal disharmony.
As Michael Dunford, Regional Director in the WFP Regional Bureau for Eastern Africa has mentioned, “harvest is ruined, livestock are dying, and hunger is growing as recurrent drought affects the Horn of Africa…. This situation requires immediate humanitarian action and consistent support to build the resilience of communities for the future.”
The drought has profound effects on pastoral and farmer populations in different regions like Southern- Eastern Ethiopia, Southern- Eastern and northern Kenya and south-central Somalia.
It exacerbated further as the prices of staple food increased and the demand for agricultural labour continues to fall.
According to WFP, malnutrition rates also remain high across the region and could worsen if no immediate action is taken.
WFP’s Regional Drought Response Plan for the Horn of Africa will be launched this week and will call for $327 million. A life-saving food and nutrition assistance is also provided by WFP to the affected communities of three countries.