This report is produced by OCHA in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It was issued by the sub-regional office for Eastern Africa (SROEA), Nairobi. It covers the period 01-30 April 2011. The next report will be issued on or around 30 May 2011.
I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES
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Dry conditions persist in the pastoral and marginal cropping areas of the Eastern Horn due to a delayed onset and/or poor distribution of the March-April-May (MAM) rains in Somalia, southern areas of Ethiopia and agro-pastoral areas of north-eastern Kenya. In Djibouti and the northeastern pastoral region of Afar in Ethiopia, the onset of the March-June rains has been erratic and serious water shortages have been reported including in the city.
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The cropping areas of northwestern and central Uganda, western Kenya and northeastern Tanzania, pastoral areas of Turkana in northeast Kenya, Karamoja and Kapchorwa areas of northwestern Uganda experienced normal start of the MAM rains, hence likelihood of good yields and positive impact on food security.
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The food security situation in the pastoral and marginal cropping areas is expected to worsen due to the reduced precipitation in April, in addition to increased staple food prices, high fuel prices and declining purchasing power. Favourable rains are expected during the June-September season.
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The drought situation has been declared a national disaster in Somalia and Djibouti. As at the end of April 2011, approximately 8.8 million people are in acute food and livelihood crisis (IPC Phase 3) in the region. In Ethiopia, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has increased from 2.8 million to 3.2 million, due to additional requirements in the southern and southeastern lowlands of the country.
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Current assistance programs appear inadequate to mitigate existing and expected food deficits as the number of affected persons has continued to increase with the deteriorating drought situation.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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