In the wake of the ongoing devastating drought that continues to ravage the Horn of Africa at an alarming rate, it is imperative to urgently redress Africa’s perennial water crisis. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that communities in the Horn of Africa are experiencing one of the most severe La Niña-induced droughts leading Kenya and Somalia to declare national emergencies due to poor and unpredictable rainy seasons. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), an estimated 13 million people are grappling with a major drought caused by the driest conditions since 1981. This has been the aftermath of three failed rainy seasons in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia that have led to extreme water shortages, consequently leading to the decimation of crops and livestock deaths, forcing families from their homes and triggering conflict between communities. The root of this deleterious crisis has been climate change pertinently characterized by changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures. It is no surprise, given that Africa is the most vulnerable region to the global climate change crisis, despite its low greenhouse gas emissions. Despite water security being a key priority area in Africa’s Agenda 2063, much more needs to
Subscribe to unlock this article
Login to read this article for free and get 3 free premium articles. Subscribe today for unlimited premium articles and more.
Digital Subscription – Monthly
Monthly renewing
You can cancel anytime.
$5 /Monthly
Digital Subscription – Annually
Monthly renewing
You can cancel anytime.
$40 /Annually