One person dying of hunger every 48 seconds in drought-ravaged Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, report shows

A devastating report paints a grim picture of the ongoing dire drought situation in the Horn of Africa whose inaction has exposed at least one person likely to die of hunger every 48 seconds, latest findings in a report by Oxfam and Save the Children shows.

Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia have been ranked among the top drought-ravaged in a report dubbed ‘Dangerous Delay 2’.

The report by Oxfam and Save the Children is the second warning report ahead of a drought crisis that might see millions die if no intervention is reached fast.

According to Ahmed Mohamud, a pastoralist in Wajir, the government and key partners need to upscale their response to avert a crisis whose impact might be catastrophic soon.

“There are no cows left since they all died. We have a few camels and goats that have survived the drought but we are afraid we might lose them if this drought persists.

We are also afraid people might start dying of famine as there is no food,” said Mohamud, pastoralist in Wajir.

The October to December 2022 weather forecast shows that short rains might be below average.

This will amplify that the already existing drought following an unprecedented five-season drought will leave at least 4-5 million Kenyans in a vulnerable state.

“Save the Children” is calling upon key partners to make a hasty response to save the vulnerable in society.

“Children are the hardest hit by food crisis. Without enough to eat, they are at high risk of malnutrition.

Malnutrition leads to stunting, impairs mental and physical development and increases the risk of other illnesses and death,” said Yvonne Arunga, country director of “Save the Children,” Kenya and Madagascar.

The Inua Jamii cash transfer only targets 1 million people; the cash transfer also targets a specific category of people (orphans and vulnerable people) 2.5 million people are still being left out.

The government can expand the cash transfer programme horizontally to ensure more people benefit. Dr John Kitui, Country Director, Oxfam Kenya.

The report criticises local government’s inability to enhance the agricultural potential in some of the hard-hit areas and calls for the improvement of social protection systems.

Changes in the management of social systems can go a long way in helping cope with hunger while creating better responses while facing climatic and economic shocks.

The report further pinpoints areas that need more donors and aid agencies’ interventions when faced with such a crisis.