UN and FAO Launches Plan to Prevent Hunger Crisis in Horn of Africa

In countries already grappling with natural resource scarcity and war, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic and locust invasions in 2020-21, a third consecutive year of insufficient rainfall poses a serious threat to food security.

FAO fears that if food-producing rural areas do not receive adequate support in time for the forthcoming crop seasons, a large-scale hunger catastrophe would develop.

Millions at risk 

The lion’s share of the $130 million in funds donated by FAO Horn of Africa Drought Response Plan, is needed by the end of February to give crucial assistance to extremely vulnerable communities in the three severely affected countries: Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

By the middle of the year, projections predict that over 25.3 million people will be experiencing “severe acute food insecurity.”

If the scenario plays out, the FAO estimates that the Horn of Africa will experience one of the world’s worst food crises. 

Now is the time 

A hunger catastrophe can be averted if we act quickly and at the right moment to get water, seeds, animal feed, veterinary care, and much-needed cash to at-risk rural families, says Rein Paulsen, the agency’s Director of Emergencies and Resilience. “We know from past experience that supporting agriculture at moments like this is hugely impactful.

“It’s about time. Pastors and farmers in the Horn need our immediate support since the seasonal cycle does not stop for anyone.” 

Pastoralist families’ animals would need nutritional and veterinary assistance in the lean season, which has just begun, according to Mr. Paulsen, who issued a dire warning.

Families who rely on farming for their livelihoods will require seeds and other supplies in time for the Gu planting season, which starts in March.  

Water and seeds 

The FAO strategy aims to help 1.5 million of the world’s most vulnerable rural people in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.

Livestock feeds and food supplements, as well as mobile veterinary health clinics, will be provided to pastoralist families to keep their livestock healthy and producing milk; water will be transported to 10,000-liter compact water reservoirs set up in remote areas, and existing wells will be upgraded to run on solar power.

Families that rely on crops will get seedlings for drought-tolerant early-maturing maize, sorghum, cowpea, and mung bean varieties, as well as nutrient-dense veggies. In addition, the UN agency hopes to arrange for pre-planting field irrigation and plowing, as well as instruction in sound agricultural methods. 

Extra income

Able-bodied households can make extra income by assisting in the rehabilitation of boreholes, irrigation canals, and other agricultural infrastructures.

Those that can’t work due to health issues or other reasons will receive “unconditional infusions of cash”.  According to FAO, giving rural communities more discretionary income allows them to buy food at the market whilst they wait for their crops.

In Somalia, FAO has made calls for the provision of equipment, boats, and training to assist coastal communities that do not generally fish in securing a new and much-needed source of nourishment, leveraging on current programs to encourage livelihood diversification in the country.

According to the FAO, if fully funded, the plan will enable the production of up to 90 million litres of milk and 40,000 tonnes of staple food crops in the first half of 2022, providing food security for over one million people who are extremely food insecure for at least six months.