Three years of failed rains led to severe drought across the Horn of Africa, creating food shortages for up to 15 million people. The pastoralists who live across northern Kenya, south-eastern Ethiopia and southern Somalia are the worst-affected people.
Islamic Relief (IR) is working to help the drought-stricken people of the Mandera region of Kenya, and in the Somali region of Ethiopia.
Rain
Despite the rains in May, clean drinking water remains scarce. The rains were patchy and not enough to last until the next ones are due. Although pasture for the animals has increased in places, it is still too scarce to benefit all of them.
There is not enough pasture for all the animals
The rains were a mixed blessing. Although they interrupted the dry period, over 20 people died in Mandera from an outbreak of dysentery. The rainwater has also flushed animal carcasses and sewage into water sources, contaminating them with lethal diseases.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition rates across the region remain high, especially amongst young children, the elderly and pregnant and nursing mothers. Cases of diarrhoea are on the increase, threatening the lives of already malnourished people.
Poverty
The drought-affected pastoralists are dependent upon their animals for their livelihoods. These animals are also their savings – they sell one whenever they need money. However, the drought has killed off thousands of livestock – up to 70% in some regions, leaving people almost destitute.
Surviving animals are half-starved and weak with little or no market value. Milk yields from the animals, a staple part of the daily diet, are also low, contributing to malnutrition.
The prices of staple foods in the markets remain high because of the continuing effects of drought. They are simply too expensive for most impoverished families to afford.
Without immediate intervention it is feared this crisis could escalate, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. Islamic Relief is working urgently alongside other humanitarian agencies to prevent this disaster.