Friday, May 20, 2011

Millions facing serious drought in Horn of Africa

Charities Aid Foundation: Almost eight million people living in countries in the Horn of Africa are in serious need of emergency humanitarian assistance, it has been claimed. CARE reports that Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are facing droughts that have been worsened by the La Nina weather phenomenon.

Despite some rainfall in the region, many people are still struggling to recover from the last drought, which hit in 2008. Mohamed Khaled, CARE Regional Emergency Coordinator for East Africa, said: "Chronic vulnerability, poverty, social injustice and climate change are all responsible for recurring food insecurity in the Horn of Africa.

"On top of that, a significant increase in food and fuel prices has worsened the current situation." Mr Khaled added that, for example, the price of maize has risen by 27 percent in Kenya in the last three months….

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