With as little as a quarter of the expected rainfall received, widespread drought conditions in the Horn of Africa have intensified since the failure of the October-December rains. Acute food shortage and malnutrition also remains a major concern in many parts of South Sudan, Sudan (west Darfur) and Uganda's Karamoja region. “The drought situation in the region is extremely worrying, primarily in almost all of Somalia, across southern and south-eastern Ethiopia, and northern Kenya. Drought impacts livelihoodsRepeated episodes of drought have led to consecutive failed harvests, disease outbreaks, deteriorating water and pasture conditions and animal deaths. Strengthening FAO's efforts to drought response“FAO’s partnership to build resilience to shocks and crises in the Horn of Africa is critical and will increase,” assured Tijani.

Source: Ethiopian News January 31, 2017 02:33 UTC