Warnings over Horn of Africa drought

Agricultural workers in the east and Horn of Africa are preparing for their most severe drought in 40 years, as authorities warn that higher temperatures and less than normal rainfall was recorded by weather agencies in March and April this year.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development said rains will likely fail for a fourth consecutive year, triggering fears of increased cases of malnutrition, threats to livelihoods and severe risks for 29 million people in the region.The issue of drought and famine have become a recurring event in the region.Approximately 1.4 million children under five in the horn of Africa are vulnerable to acute malnutrition.Below average rainfall for 2022 is likely to prolong the already extremely dry conditions which have not been experienced to this degree since 1981.Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are already in the midst of a dire famine.