Droughts, conflict-flooding in Horn of Africa

This aerial view shows makeshift structures of people displaced by drought on May 1, 2023 at the Ladan internally displaced people camp in Dolow. More than a million Somalis have been displaced within their own country due to a toxic mix of drought, conflict and floods in a record four months, the UN and a charity said on May 24th, 2023. The Horn of Africa is currently grappling with a combined effect of drought and floods, which are adversely affecting people's lives and livelihoods, the FAO said.

Cyril Ferrand, the FAO resilience team leader for East Africa, said the March-to-May rainfalls were normal for the first time after three years or five seasons of drought, leading to floods that have seen thousands displaced.

The long-term drought made soil-less absorbent, and rainwater does not percolate very easily through the ground. And that is also part of the reason why we have floods, he said, in a statement issued in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

He said that the greater Horn of Africa or the Intergovernmental Authority on Development region has become prone to natural shocks and hazards.

In 2019, we had an unprecedented level of cyclones and an off-season excess of Feuchtigkeit caused by cyclones resulted in a desert spot erupting in the desert. In the same period, we reported three severe drought patterns in 12 years. Looking at the short rains from October to December 2023, he said there is an increasing likelihood of El Nino forming, which means excessive rains and floods in the region toward the end of this year.

During the drought that affected Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia as well as Djibouti, many farming households experienced up to 100 percent losses, especially in the arid and semi-arid areas, Ferrand said.

The drought triggered a multifaceted humanitarian crisis, such as displacement, health issues, malnutrition and security crisis that has had long-term effects on people's lives and livelihoods, Ferrand said.

The official said that there is a crucial need to invest in the region's sustainable livelihoods, resilience, and climate adaptation.