NAIROBI/MOGADISHU — Drought conditions have left over 2 million people facing acute hunger in parts of Kenya, with cattle-keeping communities in the northeast and along the Somali border among the hardest hit, according to the United Nations and relief agencies.
Reports indicate that four consecutive wet seasons have failed in parts of the Horn of Africa, creating a crisis reminiscent of previous famines. The wet season from October to December was recorded as one of the driest since 1981.
Mandera on “Alarm” Status
In Kenya, the National Drought Management Authority reports that 10 counties are experiencing severe drought conditions.
The northeastern county of Mandera, which borders Somalia and Ethiopia, has reached the “alarm” classification. Officials warn that critical water shortages have led to the widespread death of livestock, the economic mainstay of the region, and visible wasting among children.
Displacement in Somalia
The suffering extends deep into Somalia, where the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that millions are threatened by water shortages. Over 3 million people have left their homes, seeking shelter in camps for the internally displaced (IDPs).
In southern Somalia, an assessment by Islamic Relief found “shocking food shortages.” The situation is particularly dire in the city of Baidoa:
“Support is not enough, with 70% of the internally displaced in the city of Baidoa surviving on one meal a day or less… children in the camps are showing visible signs of malnutrition,” the agency stated.
Climate Drivers
Experts attribute the severity of the crisis to climate change. The Indian Ocean has become warmer, disrupting weather patterns and feeding destructive tropical storms while simultaneously lengthening drought cycles.
Despite contributing only 3% to 4% of global emissions, the African continent remains disproportionately vulnerable to extreme weather events due to limited infrastructure for disaster preparedness.
