Horn of Africa Emergency – Drought Relief Funding
A catastrophic drought – the worst in 40 years – is currently affecting over 18 million people in the Horn of Africa.
Thousands of families have been displaced due to recent climate change and droughts in places like Ethiopia’s Somali regions, leaving them without hope.
© UNHCR/Eugene Sibomana
Horn of Africa drought emergency
A catastrophic drought – the worst in 40 years – is currently affecting over 18 million people in the Horn of Africa
Thousands of families have been displaced due to recent climate change and droughts in places like Ethiopia’s Somali regions. Leaving them without hope.
© UNHCR/Eugene Sibomana
People in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are struggling against the devastating impact of the climate crisis and ripple effects of the war in Ukraine, including a rise in global food prices.
Help us extend a lifeline to displaced families who are on the frontlines of climate change.
Emergency shelter
to protect a family from the harsh elements.
Cash assistance
to help displaced people access food and social services.
Essential items
like sleeping mats, soap and sanitary napkins.
What’s happening in the Horn of Africa?
After six consecutive failed rainy seasons the Horn of Africa is experiencing a devastating drought. Food prices are increasing, and refugees and internally displaced people are bearing the brunt. People are being forced to flee their homes in search of basic human essentials like water and food.
Millions of people in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are farmers who depend on their livestock and crops for survival. Without enough water, livestock and crops are dying.
Amid the devastation, conflict and insecurity continue to intersect with the drought emergency. Volatile political and security situations are common in the Horn of Africa, whilst intercommunal conflicts are flaring up due to competition over scarce resources. Some, already displaced by conflict in the region are being forced to flee again. This combination of drought and conflict is a recipe for disaster.
UNHCR is delivering lifesaving aid including clean water, emergency shelter kits, food and medicine but more support is desperately needed.
Why is there a drought in the region?
Somalia and surrounding countries are experiencing the worst drought in 40 years.
Six consecutive seasons of lower-than-average rainfall means that 90% of Somalia is in severe drought. Livestock are dying and crops are failing across the region. The rising cost of food means that families cannot buy food—but they cannot grow it either.
Where are people in the Horn of Africa fleeing to?
With water sources drying up, livelihoods decimated, and rising prices, more people are now being forced to flee – both internally and across borders due to a mix of conflict and climate shocks. The drought is also having a devastating impact on existing refugees and internally displaced people in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, and on their host communities.
As of 11th June 2023, there are over 5 million refugees and asylum-seekers in the East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region. Uganda generously hosts over 1 million refugees and asylum-seekers, whilst there are also significant numbers of people seeking sanctuary in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and the United Republic of Tanzania, among other countries.
Many of the host countries are also impacted by droughts and conflict, leaving millions of people internally displaced. For example, Sudan hosts over 1 million refugees and asylum-seekers, whilst 3.7 million people inside Sudan are internally displaced. There are now an estimated 12 million internally displaced people across the region.
As drought, insecurity and conflict continue to plague the region, UNHCR estimates that the number of people forced to flee will increase.
How is the war in Ukraine impacting the Horn of Africa?
Due to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, the cost of food staples, including grain, have risen significantly. The price of food has already risen by 66% in Ethiopia and by 36% in Somalia, leaving many refugees and internally displaced families unable to afford the most basic of items. This has forced some to sell personal valuables in exchange for food and other lifesaving items. Humanitarian needs are growing fast, and people’s lives are at stake, while funding remains staggeringly low.
What kind of relief is UNHCR is providing?
UNHCR is on the ground delivering lifesaving shelter, clean water, sanitation facilities, nutrition, healthcare, cash assistance and protection to people forced to flee affected by the terrible drought, but we need donor support to keep going.
How is the drought impacting women and girls specifically?
While the impacts of climate change are felt by everyone, it’s those in the most precarious situations, including women and girls, who bear the brunt of climate shocks.
Climate change in regions like the Horn of Africa amplifies existing inequalities, poverty and drives displacement, making refugee women and girls even more vulnerable. Women face greater health and safety risks as water and sanitation systems become comprised.
Also, women and girls are less likely to have access to education, finance and natural resources necessary for survival. Lack of resources means women get trapped in areas where climate and disaster risk is high.
Where can I access the latest data and reports?
The East and Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes Situation Portal – for the latest updates on the crisis overall, including UNHCR situation reports, funding requirements and UNHCR’s operations in the region.
As of July 2023, over 13 million people are internally displaced across the region, forced to leave their homes and lives behind.
Over the last six years, Southwestern Somalia has witnessed both natural and man-made disasters including devastating droughts.
In Baidoa, UNHCR and partners distributed essential items to drought-affected internally displaced families.
Thousands of households have benefitted from this critical humanitarian support. Your donation will help us to continue to provide more people with water, shelter and other live-saving aid in severely drought-affected areas.
© African Volunteers for Relief and Development
Over the last six years, Southwestern Somalia has witnessed both natural and man-made disasters including devastating droughts.
In Baidoa, UNHCR and partners distributed essential items to drought-affected internally displaced families.
Thousands of households have benefitted from this critical humanitarian support. Your donation will help us to continue to provide more people with water, shelter and other live-saving aid in severely drought-affected areas.
© African Volunteers for Relief and Development