Horn of Africa

Mother and her children in southern Oromiya, Ethiopia. (Alex Wynter/IFRC)

The dire food insecurity situation in much of Eastern Africa has rapidly reached humanitarian crisis proportions, and an immediate response is urgently required.

An estimated 11 million people or more are facing critical food shortages in East Africa and the Horn of Africa; but there is a wider regional dimension to the issue of food where, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 27 sub-Saharan countries now need food assistance.

Growing concerns for drought in Kenya

29th September 2009

The Irish Red Cross is increasingly concerned by the devastating drought that continues to take its toll in Kenya. The cumulative effects of three consecutive failed rainy seasons coupled with the 2008 post election violence have crippled food production with the result that an estimated 3.8 million people require urgent humanitarian food assistance.

Horn of Africa: Red Cross Movement remains concerned at the Humanitarian Situation across the Region

August 2009

A meal of boiled grain simmers on a fire

Conditions in the Horn of Africa have deteriorated significantly in many areas (most notably in Kenya) in recent months. The short rains expected in Kenya at the end of 2008 failed, and the major rains, due in April, have so far not arrived or been underproductive. Harvests have been extremely low, in part also a result of the displacement of people resulting from 2008's post election violence. Noel Wardick, Head of the International Department with the Irish Red Cross stated 'In some areas, including parts of Ethiopia and Somalia, there has been some rain, but this has not relieved the situation of those pastoralists who were worst affected by the food crisis and widespread animal mortality of 2008. In Djibouti, rural pastoralists run the risk of being completely wiped out - their communities and way of life destroyed in the face of severe food shortages, massive mortality in their herds, and potential epidemics resulting from a lack of safe water supplies'.

Horn of Africa: Red Cross Movement redoubles efforts as famine threatens millions

03 February 2008

As the UN food summit gets underway in Madrid, urging more aid for poor people worldwide, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is this week redoubling efforts to scale up its emergency food security operation in the Horn of Africa.

Severe Food Crisis hits most vulnerable in Ethiopia

International media have begun paying more attention to the food crisis in Ethiopia affecting more than 4.5 million people. According to authorities, the country has only 33 per cent of the food needs available in stocks.

Ethiopia

Bright Lights, Big City, Broken Dreams

Why the Irish Red Cross is helping people to stay in their own communities and out of the cities.

By Aoife Mac Eoin.

National Communications Officer.

A patchwork quilt of rusted tin roofs and fragile timbers lie across Ethiopia's capital, broken only by the protrusions of affluence embodied in the international hotel chains and 70's modernist architecture of government buildings.

Background to the Eastern Africa Food Crisis