Humanitarians must rush to prepare to continue their life-saving work in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, as the drought – the longest and most severe in recent history – is well into the coming year.
Although nearly 21 million people are highly food insecure – with some areas of Somalia still facing famine – response plans are only 50% funded.
Fear of repeated famine
“Despite the intrinsic uncertainty of precipitation projections, there is certainty about urgent need for global support and solidarity to avert Famine (IPC Phase 5) in the coming months,” said the partners, referring to the humanitarian grading scale for food insecurity.
Recalling that 260,000 people in Somalia died during the East African drought in 2011, with most deaths occurring before famine was declared, they urge the world not to let this situation repeat itself.
“With mortality rates rising in many regions, the size of the populations affected and the likely duration of the crisis, the cumulative excess mortality could become as high as 2011. We cannot – and must not – wait for the Famine (IPC Stage 5) to be announcedor for failed additional rainy seasons, take action,” statement speak.
Increasing number of child deaths
Partners reported a significant increase in severe acute malnutrition across the entire Horn of Africa region. Overall, it is estimated that nearly 7.5 million children under the age of 5 are affected, of which 1.85 million are facing the most severe condition.
Child mortality is also on the rise. A recent review after the Gu rainy season in Somalia, from March to June, found that under-five mortality exceeded two per 10,000 a day among the four population groups surveyed.
Multiple outbreaks of disease
More than 23.7 million people are facing daily problems in accessing water, thereby increasing their vulnerability to water-borne diseases.
This situation also forces women and children to travel long distances to collect water, putting them at greater risk of violence and exploitation.
“The impact of drought on health risks is also significant, and many disease outbreaks are ongoing, including measles and cholera, whose health outcomes are worse when combined with undernutrition. nutrition, are major public health concerns,” the statement said.
About 1.77 million people have been displaced from their homes as they face severely limited access to food, water and other resources. These people are currently internally displaced, and more than 40,000 have sought refuge in neighboring countries since the start of the year.
Poor rain is expected
The partners say the situation is worsening as the rainy season from October to December starts poorly, especially in Kenya and southern Somalia, the partners said.
These areas are expected to receive 60% less than average total rainfall between October 1 and November 15, with some affected areas having poor season starts. most recorded.
“Worryingly, there is broad consensus among meteorological agencies that the likelihood of continued below-average rainfall throughout the remainder of the season is high, leading to an unprecedentedly poor fifth season in a row“They noted.
Furthermore, be prepared for the possibility that rains from March to May will also be below average, leading to a sixth consecutive bad season.
Regardless of what happens to next year’s rainfall, “recovery from this severe drought will take years, with extremely high humanitarian needs.et to survive and even increase by 2023”, the partners said.
