Horn of Africa plans to reduce drought and famine impact

CoastWeek via Xinhua: Leaders of the Inter-Governmental Authority of Development (IGAD) that comprises of Horn of Africa countries are meeting in Kenya on Wednesday to create a new plan that will enable the region apply early warning mechanisms to better deal with drought and famine.

Leaders drawn from the seven member countries, bilateral and donor institutions agreed here on the urgency of the need to have a new plan and a Drought Trust Fund as soon as possible because the growing effects of climate change are making droughts more frequent and severe.

Participants raised concerns that most of the IGAD requests for support from donors is usually meant to address drought emergency situations. They agreed that the new plan should be based on addressing resilience and should be backed by a very strong drought early warning mechanism that is well linked to institutions that coordinate response.

IGAD Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim said that with the changing cycle of drought where it was now occurring every two years, there is need to undertake and sustain long term programs aimed at vulnerability reduction and resilience building.

“The region requires long term investments that will form the bedrock of this resilience. Short term projects should well link to the overall long term objectives,” he said, citing the need for infrastructure investments in dry land areas to facilitate creation of wealth....