http://www.india.com/news/world/united-nations-el-nino-worsens-food-crisis-in-eastern-africa-799267/
United Nations: EL Nino worsens food crisis in Eastern Africa
By Indo-Asian News Service _at_indiacom | December 20, 2015 5:00 AM | comment
Tags: Africa, UN, United Nations
Nairobi, Dec 20: The UN humanitarian agency has warned that conditions
are set to worsen for millions of hungry people across Eastern Africa
as the El Nino weather phenomenon continues.
The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said an
estimated 18.5 million people are food insecure as of December, a
situation exacerbated by the effects of El Nino, Xinhua reported.
“The food security situation is of great concern, with an increase of
64 percent increase in the number of food insecure people between
August and December,” OCHA said in its latest humanitarian report
received on Saturday.
According to the UN, the impact of the El Nino climatic event since
May has manifested itself primarily in persistent drought conditions,
most acutely in parts of Ethiopia and Sudan, and drier than average
conditions in parts of Eritrea, Greater Upper Nile region of South
Sudan, parts of northern Uganda and parts of Somaliland and Puntland,
in Somalia.
OCHA said enhanced El Nino-related rains have increased the risk of
flooding along the main river systems in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and
Uganda.
“Nearly 100 people have died as a result of flood related incidents in
Kenya and more than 300,000 people displaced in the four countries,”
the UN said.
It noted that the displacement is however significantly lower than
expected and the enhanced rainfall has favoured arid and semi-arid
areas with good pasture, crop development and replenished some water
sources.
The Eastern Africa region as well as several other regions, are
experiencing abnormal rainfall patterns, since the El Nino rains are
expected to continue through the first quarter of 2016.
Though the above-average October to December rains will be beneficial
for both agricultural and pastoral production in the region, there is
a risk of river and lakeshore flooding, as well as flash floods,
aggravating an already bad situation.
While respective national governments and humanitarian partners are
responding to the El Nino related needs, significant resource gaps
have been reported in all critical sectors.
“Governments and humanitarian partners have scaled-up response
activities, working with local authorities and community leadership to
strengthen local response capacity,” it said.
The regional Food Security and Nutrition Working Group (FSNWG) has
called for further scaling-up of life-saving and livelihood support
activities (especially for pastoralist) until mid-2016 when the next
season’s crop harvests and animal products are expected.
Humanitarian requirements in the Horn and Great Lakes region totalled
$5.7 billion in 2015, and are only 49 percent funded at year-end.
“Increased funding is required to address both increasing displacement
and to respond to the drought and flood impact of El Nino,” OCHA said.
“Disaster risk reduction and preparedness activities should continue
beyond the El Nino period. The region is prone to floods and drought
even outside El Nino years. Development funding should be programmed
for early recovery as a strong El Nino is historically often followed
by a La Nina,” the UN said.
Modified Date: December 20, 2015 5:00 AM
Received on Sat Dec 19 2015 - 23:40:18 EST