Food insecurity to persist in Horn of Africa , warns report

NAIROBI, Kenya:  June 20 (Xinhua) — Food insecurity is expected to persist for the next three months in some parts of the Horn of Africa following mixed and normally below-average rains which were experienced between March and May, a report has warned.

According to the U.S.-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS), very heavy rains and flooding occurred in the western section of the region while other parts experienced significant rainfall deficits despite heavy rains in the past two months.

“Crisis levels of food insecurity are expected to persist in some areas through at least September on the Ethiopia and Kenya sides of the Mandera in northern region,” FEWS said in its June Food Security Alert. The long rains began late this year in most areas.

Instead of starting in early March, rains did not start until April and were up to five weeks late, particularly in the main cereal-growing areas. In most parts of the pastoral areas and southeastern marginal agricultural areas the rains were one to two weeks late. The long rains picked up considerably in April and early May across the country.

So far, long rains have only been partially consistent with the seasonal forecast. In Somalia, FEWS said poor harvests are expected in agropastoral areas of Middle and Lower Juba, Gedo, Bakool, Bay and Hiran due to poor rainfalls and pest infestations. “These areas are slowly recovering from famine last year, and levels of acute malnutrition remain very critical.

Although modest seasonal improvements in food security are expected with August harvests, crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity are expected to persist,” it said.

According to the report, moderate improvements in pasture and water availability are expected to improve livestock body conditions in Somalia, thereby increasing livestock prices and purchasing power among pastoralists.

“In southeast pastoral areas, food security will improve from Emergency to Crisis levels between July and September,” FEWS said.

The Horn of Africa is one of the world’s most food insecure regions. The eight countries, namely Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda, have combined areas prone to extreme food shortages. (Xinhua)