What caused the drought in the Horn of Africa?

The region was hit by an 18-month drought caused by El Niño and higher temperatures linked to climate change. Now, in the midst of even more drought, the situation has become catastrophic, causing crops to fail and cattle to die.

Which countries in the Horn of Africa were affected by drought in 2011?

Background information. The Horn of Africa has been repeatedly hit by drought over recent years. Poor rainfall across the region in 2010/2011, combined with massively inflated food prices, affected some 13 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia in the Horn of Africa and also in Tanzania, East Africa.

How many people have been affected by droughts in the Horn of Africa?

13 million people
Drought in the Horn of Africa has affected over 13 million people, including 3.75 million Kenyans. The World Food Programme is currently able to assist only 7.4 million people (77 per cent of those it would like to help). Approximately one in three Somalis has been displaced due to the drought.

What caused the El Nino drought?

As warm water spreads from the west Pacific and the Indian Ocean to the east Pacific, it takes the rain with it, causing extensive drought in the western Pacific and rainfall in the normally dry eastern Pacific.

Why does Ethiopia have no water?

Ethiopia is located in Africa’s Horn where drought and politics are two leading causes of water shortage. Many people living outside of the cities collect water from these shallow water sources, which are often contaminated with human and animal waste, worms, or disease.

How long did the East Africa drought last?

When was the worst drought in Africa?

Between July 2011 and mid-2012, a severe drought affected the entire East African region. Said to be “the worst in 60 years”, the drought caused a severe food crisis across Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya that threatened the livelihood of 9.5 million people.

How can we prevent drought?

Avoiding Overuse Being mindful of the amount of water you use each day can be a powerful way to prevent droughts. Turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth, watering your garden early in the morning so less water evaporates, and installing low-flow plumbing fixtures all are good ways to prevent wasted water.

Can you drink the water in Ethiopia?

Is the water safe to drink? The tap water is generally NOT safe to drink anywhere in Ethiopia. Bottled water or filtered water is readily available at tourist sites, hotels, safari camps & restaurants, and hot water (boiled to make it safe) or hot tea is generally offered with a meal at a restaurant.

Is there a drought in the Horn of Africa?

Some parts of the Horn of Africa have been hit by the worst drought in 60 years, the UN says. More than 10 million people are thought to be affected across the region. The UN now classifies large areas of Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya as a crisis or an emergency.

What causes famine in the Horn of Africa?

The three dominant causes are drought, high food costs, poverty and violent political instability, recognisable factors in almost any famine but more extreme here due to their severity. The ongoing drought in the region has caused crop failure, which has led to record food inflation.

What was the Horn of Africa crisis in 2011?

The Horn of Africa crisis in 2011 was labelled as the worst in 60 years, caused by a combination of sustained drought, swiftly increasing food prices and escalating conflict in Somalia. By September 2011, over 13 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance.

Are there any conflicts in the Horn of Africa?

The present conflict in Turkana in Northern Kenya is a case in point. The region is badly affected by drought. According to a recent World Food Program report, 3.5 million people are currently affected (WFP). People there are fighting for scarce resources.