Thirteen million people face severe hunger as drought grips horn of Africa
About 13 million people are facing hunger due to severe drought in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday.
According to WFP, the horn of Africa region is experiencing the driest conditions recorded since 1981, after three consecutive failed rainy seasons decimated crops and caused abnormally high livestock deaths.
“Families have been forced from their homes due to shortages of water and pasture, leading to increased conflict between communities.
“Further forecasts of below-average rainfall is threatening to worsen and compound dire conditions in the coming months.
“Harvests are ruined, livestock are dying and hunger is growing as recurrent droughts affect the Horn of Africa,” said Michael Dunford, Regional Director in the WFP Regional Bureau for Eastern Africa.
Mr Dunford stated that situation required immediate humanitarian action and consistent support to build the resilience of communities for the future.
He noted that the drought had impacted pastoral and farmer populations across southern and south-eastern Ethiopia, south-eastern and northern Kenya and south-central Somalia.
“Increases in staple food prices, inflation and low demand for agricultural labour are compounding the problem, making it harder for families to buy food.
“Malnutrition rates also remain high across the region and could worsen if no immediate action is taken.’’
WFP is launching an appeal for $327 million in aid this week to respond to immediate needs of 4.5 million people over the next six months and help communities become more resilient to extreme climate shocks.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Abuja
ICPC hands over forfeited $65 million housing project to FMBN
The ICPC handed over 27.92 hectares of forfeited land linked to a diverted $65 million housing project to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.
States
Police arrest seven suspected pipeline vandals in Adamawa
Police recovered 285 pieces of vandalised NNPC pipelines.
Heading 2
NIHSA issues flood alert for 1,841 Bauchi communities, 16 other states
The agency urged state governments, local authorities and residents of flood-prone communities to take immediate precautionary measures.
Economy
Lagos govt seeks assembly’s approval for ₦200 billion bond, FAAC-backed initiative for infrastructure financing
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa referred both requests to the Joint Committee on Economic Planning and Budget and the Committee on Finance for detailed scrutiny.
Rights
Lagos urges improved child adoption, fostering services
Mr Ogunlende described adoption, guardianship and fostering as pathways that provide vulnerable children with hope and stability.
Economy
First Lady donates N2 billion to promote Akwete weaving in Abia
She said the gesture was to support the development of the Akwete production site, with a view to creating more jobs and boosting the state’s economy.
