Top Posts
Death toll from Mokwa flood rises to 153
Scientists say nearly 40% of the world’s glaciers...
Nigerian government seeks alignment of NDC climate action...
German court dismisses climate case against RWE
WHO Climate Change action plan approved
Report: World likely to breach 1.5°C limit in...
At Bonn climate talks, Brazil demands early deals...
Researchers warn Africa could face 113 million climate...
LAPO MfB launches tree-planting initiative to fight climate...
Stiell says new NDCs are about growth, antidote...
EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World
World

Hunger in Horn of Africa deepens as extreme drought continues— WFP

by Segun Ogunlade November 19, 2022
written by Segun Ogunlade November 19, 2022
398

The World Food Programme (WFP) has said extreme drought has deepened hunger in the Horn of Africa, which is also beset by conflict.

In its latest regional situation update issued late on Thursday, the WFP said some 22 million people were currently facing a severe hunger crisis after four consecutive failed rainy seasons across the Horn of Africa, mainly Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.

“Alarmingly, this figure is expected to increase, with a fifth poor rainy season forecast by the end of the year,’’ the WFP further warned.

According to the WFP, disruptions to grain supplies and rising prices caused by the crisis in Ukraine have pushed more and more people to the brink in regions already reeling from skyrocketing costs resulting from the intersection of climate change, conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We do not have the luxury of just focusing on what needs to be done today,’’ the statement quoted Michael Dunford, WFP’s regional director for eastern Africa, as saying.

“We also need to start preparing for the next shock whether that is the next drought, the next flood or the next crisis,’’ Dunford added.

Read also: #COP27: Worrying differences remain on key issues as conference drags

In Ethiopia, food prices were at an all-time high and had been since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WFP said.

Pastoralists in the southern and eastern lowlands of Ethiopia “have powerlessly watched another predator, drought, reduce their livestock to skin and bones,’’ the UN agency said.

Some 3.9 million children were severely malnourished in Ethiopia alone, or roughly half of all those suffering from malnutrition across the Horn of Africa, figures from the WFP indicated.

“This is the worst drought, the driest it’s ever been in 40 years. So, we are entering a whole new phase in climate change,’’ Dunford said.

The WFP further indicated that the extreme food and water scarcity had killed around seven million livestock across the Horn of Africa, imperilling the livelihoods of pastoralists, who rely on them for food and income.

“The fragile ecosystems where they live, and the way of life these lands have sustained for generations, are gradually collapsing due to erratic climatic patterns,’’ it warned.

Story was adapted from EnvironNewsNigeria.

DroughtHorn of AfricaHungerWFP
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
admineconai

previous post
#COP27: Worrying differences remain on key issues as conference drags
next post
#COP27: Campaigners shame US as ‘colossal fossil’ of COP27 climate summit

Related Posts

Scientists say nearly 40% of the world’s glaciers...

June 3, 2025

German court dismisses climate case against RWE

May 28, 2025

WHO Climate Change action plan approved

May 28, 2025

Report: World likely to breach 1.5°C limit in...

May 28, 2025

At Bonn climate talks, Brazil demands early deals...

May 23, 2025

Guterres raises alarm over rapid Himalayan glacier melt

May 17, 2025

Study shows two-thirds of global warming caused by...

May 8, 2025

Weather expert warns climate change to hit agriculture...

May 5, 2025

Trump dismisses authors of major climate report

April 30, 2025

New UN report shows Indigenous Peoples sidelined in...

April 25, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Bloglovin
  • Vimeo

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Eco-Nai+

EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World