Igad and UN appeal for drought relief in Horn of Africa

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) are appealing for urgent action to mitigate the impact of drought across the Horn of Africa where food insecurity is getting dire.

The October-December 2021 rainy season has significantly delayed in the region, with little to no rainfall in many areas. Worsening drought is expected to result in deterioration of agriculture and pastures, causing households already struggling with the effects of multiple and concurrent hazards including climate variability, conflict, Covid-19 and desert locusts to reduce their food consumption.

“Food insecurity in the region has historically increased sharply following consecutive poor rainfall seasons,” noted a joint statement by IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu and FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa Chimimba David Phiri.

Food insecurity

“As of October 2021, 26 million people in the region were already facing high levels of food insecurity, and due to the threat of worsening drought conditions, food insecurity will likely rise during the first half of 2022 across the Horn of Africa. Urgent action is therefore required now to safeguard livelihoods, save lives, and prevent worsening malnutrition,” the statement said.

Drought is affecting the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya, southern and central Somalia and southern and southeastern Ethiopia where consecutive poor rainfall seasons have driven below-average crop production, according to the Food Security and Nutrition Working Group. The result has been increasing cereal prices, poor rangelands, reduced livestock production and animal deaths.