13 MILLION PEOPLE SUBJECTED TO INTENSE HUNGER AS DROUGHT WORSENS IN HORN OF AFRICA – UNITED NATIONS
Africa, one of the third world continents in the world is experiencing the worst drought in decades with fears rife that an estimated additional 13 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia will face severe hunger as drought continues to bit harder.
The report was released by World Food Programme on Tuesday.
Findings from the report indicate that three consecutive rainy seasons have failed, thereby increasing the intensity of the drought to its driest conditions which have led to the death of livestock, destroyed crops and forced families who are into farming to abandon their homes and go in search of food.
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The weather forecasts indicate below-average rainfall in the coming months to further increase threats of enhanced jeopardy of the economic well-being of these countries as reported by Michael Dunford, WFP’s Regional Director in East Africa.
According to him, “Farm produce is ruined, crops are being destroyed, livestock is dying as this reoccurring drought affect the horn of Africa”, He said in a statement. The situation has forced families who rely on herding and farming to abandon their homes.
“Humanitarian actions need to be taken on the situation to avoid history repeating itself like the crisis of Somalia in 2011, when 250,000 people reportedly died of hunger during a prolonged drought. The rate of hunger in Somalia is expected to rise from 3.5 million to 4.6 million by May if urgent intervention is not taken. Food aid should be distributed according to reports by the United Nations because 13 million people are at risk of severe hunger in the first quarter of this year".
Studies reveal that weather activities are accelerating fast both in frequency and intensity in response to climate change, with Africa, though least threatened by global warming bearing the brunt of the attendant consequences.
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