As Kenyans, Somalians, and Ethiopians struggle with the worst drought in 40 years, aid organizations and the United Nations are urging immediate famine help for East Africa.
While the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization believes immediate assistance is required, Oxfam estimates that until the end of the year, food shortages will likely result in one fatality every 36 seconds.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative in Somalia, Etienne Peterschmitt:
“We should not wait for a famine declaration to act, because then it will be too late. We know from 2011, when we faced a famine situation and a famine declaration, that by the time the famine was declared half of the 260,000 people who died had actually already died.”
Poor rainfall over the course of four seasons has killed cattle and destroyed crops, with rural inhabitants in remote parts of Somalia suffering the worst.
The current drought, according to Etienne Peterschmitt, “is the worst that we have experienced in the last forty years.” Aproximately 7.8 million people have been impacted. To put things in perspective, this is around 50% of Somalia’s population. Extreme drought is affecting 90% of the country.
The conflict in the Ukraine has increased food costs, and food insecurity is frequently associated with an increase in gender-based violence.
The warning takes place on World Food Day, an event sponsored by the UN.
