Ethiopia experiencing ‘worst drought in 30 years’ due to El Niño conditions – UN report

[muriel_volestrangler]

Ethiopia is experiencing its worst drought in 30 years according to the United Nations, with levels of acute need across all humanitarian sectors having already exceeded levels seen in the Horn of Africa drought of 2011, and which are projected to become far more severe in 2016.

A recent report published by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that the impact of the failed spring rains was compounded by the arrival of the El Niño weather conditions that weakened summer rains, which feed 80 to 85 per cent of the country.

“This greatly expanded food insecurity, malnutrition and devastated livelihoods across six affected regions of the country,” OCHA indicated.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52382#.VkEz77fhDIU

The United Nations has warned that more than 15 million people in Ethiopia will be in need of food aid by the beginning of 2016 because of a severe drought.
A lack of rain has meant that crop yields in the worst-affected areas are down by 90% this year.
The Ethiopian government has set aside nearly £130m to deal with the crisis but the UN says a further £330m is needed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-34770831

Video at BBC link.