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Extreme drought in East Africa: Swiss Solidarity opens donations account

16.04.2022

East Africa is in the grip of an extreme drought, a disastrous situation exacerbated by three particularly dry rainy seasons in a row. In addition, conflicts, economic crises and the ripple effects of the war in Ukraine are threatening the food supply, with prices rising and, in some cases, even

A situation that has been deteriorating for years

The Horn of Africa—Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia—along with Sudan and South Sudan, are currently experiencing an extreme drought that has been worsening steadily over the past few years. Three rainy seasons in a row brought record low rainfall—in October 2020, March 2021 and October 2021—which has led to unprecedented drought affecting Somalia, southern and southeastern Ethiopia, and eastern Kenya. In Sudan and South Sudan, conflicts, an economic crisis and poor harvests have only worsened an already dire situation.

The crisis at a glance:

    An estimated 13.1 to 14.1 million people in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia are suffering food and water shortages due to drought. In Sudan, 18 million people could be affected by famine by the fall.In a desperate quest for food, water and pasture, thousands of families are leaving their homes, increasing the risk of conflict and putting greater pressure on already strained basic services.This drought could become one of the worst climate crises to hit the Horn of Africa in recent memory.The war in Ukraine is making the situation worse. One of the world’s largest wheat exporters, Ukraine is no longer able to meet the high demand. This is having a dual impact on the country: as Ukraine loses its ability to grow enough food for itself, prices are rising and sometimes doubling.

  • An estimated 13.1 to 14.1 million people in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia are suffering food and water shortages due to drought. In Sudan, 18 million people could be affected by famine by the fall.
  • In a desperate quest for food, water and pasture, thousands of families are leaving their homes, increasing the risk of conflict and putting greater pressure on already strained basic services.
  • This drought could become one of the worst climate crises to hit the Horn of Africa in recent memory.
  • The war in Ukraine is making the situation worse. One of the world’s largest wheat exporters, Ukraine is no longer able to meet the high demand. This is having a dual impact on the country: as Ukraine loses its ability to grow enough food for itself, prices are rising and sometimes doubling.

    • Famine, a looming humanitarian disaster

    Because of a recurring, climate-induced lack of rainfall and the resulting drought, people are unable to set aside provisions for bad times and are already relying on aid.Without wheatfrom Ukraine and Russia, people in East Africa are losing their ability to grow crops for themselves and food prices are skyrocketing. According to UN data, global food prices havereached their highest level ever recorded.

    The world’s 45 least developed countries import at least a third of their wheat from Ukraine or Russia—these include Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia, which imports 90% of its wheat from the two countries. “Now their breadbasket is being bombed”, says UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

    Furthermore, due to the staggering humanitarian needs in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, East Africa is losing out on urgently needed aid funds from states, organisations and the public.

    Thank you for your solidarity!

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