The Horn of Africa remains in the grip
of a severe drought with 13.4 million people across the region facing severe
food shortages and possible famine.
Recent rains came too late to save crops
and international aid will still make the difference between survival and
death for women, children and the elderly in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Kenya and Somalia.
The United Nations initially raised the alarm in March launching an appeal for 16 million people affected by drought and conflict in nine countries in the Greater Horn of Africa.
UN Secretary General Koffi Annan named WFP executive director Catherine Bertini as the UN's Special Envoy to the Horn. Her subsequent visit to the region raised the level of international awareness and led to significant increases in food and non-food pledges.
But the failure of spring rains has forced the UN to refocus its appeal on the five countries hardest hit by natural disaster: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya + Somalia
Of these, the worst-hit are still Ethiopia and Kenya where over 90 percent of the total drought affected population live (see table).
If a human tragedy is to be avoided, additional food aid is essential together with water, agricultural assistance and health care. To help communities recover from the devastating drought WFP also plans to help with livestock regeneration and the provision of seed and tools.
Drought on the Horn: History repeating itself
| Country |
Year
|
No's affected
|
| Ethiopia |
1973
|
3 million
|
| Rwanda |
1976
|
1 million
|
| Sudan |
1984
|
8.4 million
|
| Ethiopia |
1984
|
7.8 million
|
| Uganda |
1988
|
600,000
|
| Sudan |
1991
|
8.6 million
|
| Ethiopia |
1991
|
6.2 million
|
| Kenya |
1992
|
2.7 million
|
| Tanzania |
1992
|
800,000
|
Updates from the Field
WFP has launched a new appeal for the Horn of Africa that will concentrate food aid on 13.4 million drought victims in five countries. In addition to WFP's previous requests to donors, the Programme is looking for 489,000 metric tons of food at a cost of US$298 million.
WFP has launched a US$3.4 million emergency feeding programme for some 50,000 Eritrean refugees fleeing into Sudan to escape their country's war with Ethiopia.
How many...
| Countries affected |
People affected
|
| Ethiopia |
10 m
|
| Kenya |
2.2 m
|
| Somalia |
750,000
|
| Eritrea |
335,000
|
| Djibouti |
150,000
|
Annan names WFP Executive Director as Special Envoy
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has appointed WFP Executive Director Catherine Bertini as special envoy on the drought in the Horn of Africa.
From April 11-19, Ms.Bertini visited Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and Eritrea on an assessment mission. Read her report listing findings and recommendations.
Women and Children First
At least 80 percent of WFP food aid will go to women and children.
As men migrate to towns in search of alternative jobs, women are the ones left behind to care for the family. With food scarce, they and their children are falling victim to malnutrition and are often too weak to seek relief.
Copyright © 2000, World Food Programme