East and Horn Africa Prepare for Severe Drought

NORTHRIDGE, CA - Agriculture workers in East and Horn Africa are preparing for their most acute drought in 40-years. Water agencies say that higher temperatures and less than normal rainfall have been recorded in March and April.

Photo credit, Zerihun Stewart, Associated Press. Mother Ayan Muhammed sitting with her severely malnourished son Fahir.

Twenty-nine-million people in the regions are at risk and there is an increased concern for cases of malnutrition.

Most of Africa's agriculture is rain-fed so it is very vulnerable to harsh weather conditions.

A lack of rain during late last year has already led to crop failures and livestock deaths. This has also caused high food prices and intercommunal conflicts.

East and Horn Africa typically receive between 800 and 1200 mm of rain. The below average rainfall for 2022 will likely extend the intense dry conditions which have not been this major since 1981.

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Evans Mukolwe, the former science director at the U.N., said that they tend to prepare for long drought seasons after they have intense cyclones in the Southwest Indian Ocean.

Climate change is already a growing issue and aid organizers worry about how the region will be affected in future decades.

There is a $1.5 billion drought response appeal that is intended to help 5.5 million people in Somali, but it remains underfunded.

Audio- The impact the drought is having on East and Horn Africa.

By, Micah Hall

Contributions, NBC News

Photo, Zerihun Stewart, Associated Press

Audio, Micah Hall

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