Horn of Africa drought causing a 'food security crisis'
An estimated 13 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are affected.
The Horn of Africa is experiencing a severe drought - its driest conditions since 1981. The drought's effect on crops means that an estimated 13 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are facing severe hunger.
The World Food Programme is warning that malnutrition rates will significantly increase if no immediate action is taken.
Shaun Hughes, the Senior Regional Emergencies Advisor with the World Food Programme says people such as cattle farmers are facing difficult challenges. Successive poor rainfalls, conflict, the pandemic and resulting disruption to supply chains and employment are some of the causes. However, he wanted to stress that great progress has been made in improving people's livelihoods and employment opportunities in recent years, that has meant that the region is less dependent on external assistance.
"When perhaps previously, you have been able to rely on your own production, for much of what you eat, if you need to turn more and more to the market in a time of drought, and the prices are escalating, that obviously has very sever consequences on people's access to food".
(Photo: A cattle farmer from the local community walks through a field of goat and sheep carcasses as he assesses the damage doneCredit: EPA / Photographer: Daniel Irungu)
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