By Wida Arzow Azizi | Development Coordinator, Concern Worldwide US
The Horn of Africa stands at the epicenter of a major global climate crisis and is grappling with the effects of one of its most extensive and acute droughts in history. Even as rains start to pour, recovery remains distant as we near the end of 2023. Across the region, Concern Worldwide continues to support vulnerable people whose lives have been affected by this generation-defining humanitarian disaster.
By the close of May 2023, an alarming count of nearly 40 million individuals in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Sudan continued to battle severe food shortages, while the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) surged.The prevailing predicament in East Africa offers a bitter reality: rainfall doesn't equate to immediate relief. Some areas in the region have been inundated with excessive rain, spawning a different kind of catastrophe. The previously dry terrains of Ethiopia and Somalia couldn't soak up the sudden downpours, resulting in flash floods. This inundation led to homes and farms being destroyed as a result, and the flood conditions exacerbated the current global cholera outbreak, which has also been aided by lack of proper sanitation facilities. Whereas some of the countries have registered a good amount of rain, the level of food insecurity remains high due to the loss of livelihoods from the prolonged drought period.
East Africa underwent five failed rainy seasons, culminating in the gravest drought in over 40 years. This drought, combined with soaring food and commodity prices and persistent regional conflicts has escalated humanitarian needs to unprecedented levels. Most of the region's population depends on agriculture and livestock for sustenance and their livelihoods, leaving millions without food to feed themselves and their families. The drought devastated livelihoods all across the region, compelling millions to abandon their residences and communities in search of food, water, and grazing land. A UN report from 2022 indicated that roughly 43,000 individuals, including an estimated 21,500 children below five years of age, died in Somalia due to the drought.
To respond, our activities in the region include:
Addressing the profound issues of extreme poverty and global hunger is at the heart of Concern Worldwide's mission. We believe that our vision of a world without extreme poverty is possible, and we need as much help as we can get. Even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, it's essential to recognize that positive change and improvements can occur. Concern’s Youth Climate Ambassador, Dearbhla Richardson, had the opportunity to experience this herself during a trip to Kenya, where her biggest “takeaway” was the willingness of people to adapt and their resourcefulness. “We also met with some women who are having very successful harvests, using climate smart agriculture techniques. Because of this new source of income, they can now manage to afford to send their children to school, and also have enough food for the family to eat,” said Richardson.
Amidst ongoing conflicts and power struggles, governments in the region are limited in their ability to respond to emergencies and aid their citizens, making the role of NGOs like Concern even more crucial to uplifting these communities until they become able to lead sustainable lives on their own.Without global intervention, the number of individuals experiencing severe food shortages in the Horn of Africa will continue to grow. Concern is steadfast in our commitment to collaborate with local partners and communities to halt the deepening hunger crisis. However, our current resources are not enough to address the escalating needs. Time is of the essence if we are to save lives, and this remains a lasting emergency for tens of millions of people.
By Wida Arzow Azizi | Development Coordinator, Concern Worldwide US
By Wida Arzow Azizi | Development Coordinator, Concern Worldwide US
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