Paul Redfern
12 August 2008
Nairobi — Famine threatens many areas of northern Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea unless international action is stepped up to address the chronic food needs.
UK aid agency ActionAid disclosed this in a report based on a detailed assessment of the situation by its staff across the Horn of Africa region.
It warns that "time is running out for the Horn of Africa," which it says has been "hit by the combined impact of failed harvests and global increases in the price of food."
"With millions facing hunger and destitution, the region is now reaching a tipping point with increasing numbers of people unable to cope," ActionAid says.
"Altogether five countries -- Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea and Djibouti -- are affected. The situation could easily become catastrophic."
In Ethiopia, about 4.6 million people need food aid. Less documented is the food crisis in Kenya, with 1.2 million people affected and the number rising daily.
Areas which normally get two rainy seasons a year have had inadequate rain for more than 12 months and crops have failed and livestock are dying.
The drought came at a time when prices of food, fuel and fertiliser are increasing globally.
In Kenya, the price of foods such as maize has increased by half in less than a year.
In northern Rift Valley, ActionAid found that most men were away searching for water and pasture, while women and children struggled to survive on poisonous wild fruit called loma. It takes a day to pick enough berries for one meal, plus a day's drying and another day's cooking before they are edible.
ActionAid's head of emergencies, Roger Yates said that while rain has fallen in recent weeks, it has been too little or too late. There has also been an explosion in armyworm populations.
"People will need emergency food aid well into 2009," Mr Yates said.
"Women and children are suffering most from malnutrition and many are now only surviving because of supplementary food rations.
"Small holders and pastoralists must be helped to get back on their feet.
Many agencies, including ActionAid, are already delivering aid, but to save lives and livelihoods much more needs to be done during the coming months," Mr Yates said.
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