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Major Food Crisis in East AfricaWarnings Of Food Insecurity in Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti
Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti are facing a major food crisis after continued drought and increased food prices. Find out more about the situation and how you can help.
The human right to food is not being realized in East Africa, where millions currently face malnutrition and starvation. AlertNet recently reported on the food crisis in Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti. In Somalia, soaring food prices, a devalued currency and drought mean millions of people are going hungry. In Ethiopia, thousands are facing starvation after two bad rainy seasons devalued livestock, with inflation high, and ever-increasing cereal prices. And in Djibouti, increasing food and commodities prices are causing thousands to suffer from malnutrition and poor health. Somalia: Drought, Food Prices and Devalued Currency Causes Food InsecurityThe United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP) May 2008 Operation Report found that the food security situation in Somalia’s central regions have deteriorated rapidly due to an exceptional dry season, the continuation of price increases and an increase in civil insecurity. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said more than 2.6 million Somalis need assistance, and warned that if the food prices increase further and the low shilling value continues to worsen, up to 3.5 million people (half the total population) could be facing an acute food and livelihood crisis by the end of 2008. Poor women and children are often the most vulnerable regarding food insecurity and climate change. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently began supplementary feeding for 44,000 children under five years of age along the Mogadishu-Afgoye corridor in Central and Southern Somalia. Ethiopia: Limited Rain and Soaring Food, Fuel and Fertilizer Prices Leave Millions in Need of AidFAO’s May 2008 Operation Report found that limited rains in April in Ethiopia were not sufficient to save already damaged short-cycle crops. WFP estimated that over 3 million Ethiopians would need assistance in the second half of 2008 due to drought. UNICEF reported that an estimated 126,000 children in Ethiopia were in need of urgent therapeutic care for severe malnutrition and up to six million children under 5 years of age required urgent preventive health and nutrition interventions. The photograph accompanying this article shows Kasim, 6 years of age, laying listless at Sheshemane General Hospital. Children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and medical complications are receiving treatment at Sheshamene General Hospital, West Arsi Zone in Oromiya Region of southern Ethiopia. According to Abebea Megerso, Head of Health in West Arsi Zone: "we are losing a child every day for the past three weeks." The photograph and details were provided by UN worker Gregory Beals in Ethiopia. Djibouti: Increasing Staple Food Costs Means Eroding Food SecurityReliefWeb reported that increasing prices for food and other essential commodities continue to erode food security in urban areas of Djibouti. More than 200,000 people in urban areas are estimated to be highly or extremely food insecure due to rising commodity prices. The UN World Food Programme reported there were approximately 11,000 people being assisted in Djibouti, including malnourished children under five, pregnant and lactating women as well as tuberculosis patients and people affected by HIV/AIDS. According to AlertNet’s country report, Djibouti is one of the hottest countries in the world, consisting mostly of desert, which leaves the agricultural community able to sustain only 25% of the domestic food demand. How To Get InvolvedAdequate food is a fundamental human right. There are many ways individuals can help to achieve global food security. Individuals can donate to the World Food Programme, volunteer or donate to UNICEF, or donate or sponsor a child in East Africa through World Vision or similar programs. Readers can also investigate local organizations and groups that work together to raise funds in their communities for food security.
The copyright of the article Major Food Crisis in East Africa in International Human Rights is owned by Jodie Martin. Permission to republish Major Food Crisis in East Africa in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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