More than two million people face hunger as drought grips Kenya

"Drought-hit counties face alarming malnutrition and water shortages as livestock perish and hunger intensifies. Severe drought has left more than two million Kenyans facing hunger with northeastern cattle-raising communities suffering the most, according to the United Nations. Disturbing images of starving livestock near the Somali border have recently underscored the devastating impacts of climate change in this region. Shortened rainy seasons have increasingly exposed communities to drought conditions, and animals are often the first casualties."

"Current livestock deaths echo the crisis from 2020 to 2023 when millions of animals perished across Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. A potential famine in Somalia was narrowly averted through increased international aid. The Horn of Africa has endured four consecutive failed wet seasons. The latest October-December wet period ranked among the driest ever recorded with eastern Kenya experiencing its worst drought for that season since 1981, according to UN health officials."

"Kenya's National Drought Management Authority reported drought conditions in 10 counties. Mandera County, near the Somalia border, has reached alarm status with severe water shortages leading to livestock deaths and child malnutrition. Neighbouring countries are facing similar challenges. The UN's World Health Organization reported comparable conditions across Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda in late January. Islamic Relief's assessment in southern Somalia revealed shocking food shortages as families flee the region's worsening drought."

Severe drought has left more than two million Kenyans facing hunger, with northeastern cattle-raising communities hardest hit and livestock dying across the region. Current livestock deaths mirror 2020–2023 losses when millions of animals perished across Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. The Horn of Africa has endured four failed wet seasons, with the October–December period among the driest recorded and eastern Kenya's worst since 1981. Kenya's NDMA reports drought in 10 counties; Mandera faces alarm status with severe water shortages and child malnutrition. More than three million Somalis are displaced; many in Baidoa survive on one meal or less daily. Experts link conditions to Indian Ocean warming and climate change.

Read at www.aljazeera.com