The numbers are staggering. In Somalia, more than 3 million people have fled their homes due to a devastating drought in the country’s rural areas. It is estimated that around 6 million people in the East African country need aid. Among those in need of assistance are 1.85 million children.
The effects of four consecutive failed rainy seasons have destroyed crops and killed livestock in large parts of Africa. Bordering countries of Ethiopia and Kenya are also suffering as the worst of the situation reaches its height in Somalia. In Kenya alone, more than two million people are facing starvation amid persistent drought that has weakened livestock in pastoralist communities.
Islamic Relief is a global humanitarian organization founded in 1984 in the UK that provides aid to those in need in more than 40 countries, regardless of creed, race or background. According to the Associated Press, the organization’s recent report, titled “Urgent action needed to save lives as severe drought worsens in Horn of Africa,” warned that children seeking help in the camps “are showing visible signs of malnutrition and wasting.”
The massive loss of livestock brings memories of another, more devastating drought that has now hit the same countries affected. Droughts from 2020 to 2023 killed millions of animals in parts of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.
The United Nations World Food Program has reported that nearly 10 million livestock have died due to the long drought. Livestock accounts for 45% of Somalia’s GDP.
“Climate change is causing frequent extreme weather events in the Horn of Africa – this latest drought comes as the region is still recovering from the worst drought in 70 years due to consecutive failed rains between 2021 and 2023, which were followed by deadly floods,” according to the Islamic Relief report. “Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya produce only about 0.1% of global carbon emissions, but their people are paying the highest price for the global climate crisis.”
The current drought situation is dire, and the outlook is bleak. “The situation is desperate, but we fear the worst is yet to come,” said Alio Mohamed, Islamic Relief’s country director in Somalia. “Our teams in Somalia are already seeing livestock deaths, water shortages and increasing malnutrition.”
“People are fleeing to rural areas for camps where they hope to get some aid, but there is not enough aid for everyone,” Mohammed added. “In many places, local communities are providing food and water to the new arrivals, even though they do not have enough for themselves. The next few months are critical – we must act now to prevent this drought from turning into a famine.”
Kenya and other East African countries are at high risk of many types of extreme weather, exacerbated by our warming world. “Kenya’s vulnerability to climate change is exacerbated by frequent and intense droughts, hurricanes, floods, heat waves, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, and warming oceans, the direct destruction of biological systems and natural habitats.
Scientists have warned that Kenya’s second largest city, Mombasa, is facing a convergence of climate risks that could overwhelm low-lying neighborhoods and major transport routes. Flooding, loss of mangroves, and saltwater pollution threaten lives, livelihoods, and the backbone of Kenya’s coastal economy.
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