Economy

Agency says 28 million Africans in ten States face starvation

hunger

Some Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda residents are facing starvation. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Some 27. 5 million people are in dire need of food aid in 10 African countries due to drought, officials announced last week.

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Climate Prediction and Applications Centre director Guleid Artan said some Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda residents are facing starvation.

“In marginal areas, climate related disasters are bound to go up. As a region we are the recipient of about 40 per cent of all global food aid. As of today, there are 27.5 million people in need of food around the region,” Dr Artan said.

He wants countries to adopt early warning and action approach to tackle starvation.

“Somalia is dire. In South Sudan it’s more of conflict than droughts but we expect serious famine,” Dr Artan said during the 48th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum in Mombasa.

The meeting will help countries develop measures to tackle droughts as climate change takes a toll on nations.