Food Crisis Warnings Issued

Warnings have been issued regarding a potential food crisis in the region following delayed rains. With harvest forecasts hit increased prices are expected to hit both governments and consumers. An estimated 23.4 million people are food insecure across the Greater Horn of Africa.

Among the organisations to have expressed concern regarding the rainfall deficit is the Food Security and Nutrition Working Group (FSNWG). A recent report by the group states, “Dry conditions and high temperatures between January and March have already led to deterioration of pasture and water availability in these areas, affecting livestock conditions, reducing milk production, driving pastoralists to keep their livestock in dry grazing areas for a prolonged period, stressing limited pastoral resources and increasing the risk of conflict in receiving areas.”

Rainfall levels are thought to be some of the lowest on record since 1981 in areas such as southern Kenya, Somalia and northern Uganda. Projections for the coming month suggest parts of the region will continue to receive below-average rainfall.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has allocated $2.5 billion in order to address the impact of drought for the East African region in 2019.