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Inter-Sectoral Response to Drought in Southern and Eastern Africa (May 2017)

Countries
Ethiopia
+ 10 more
Sources
ADRA
Publication date

Current Situation

In 2015 Africa experienced its worst drought in 60 years. The unusually strong El Niño weather pattern in 2015-2016, coupled with record-high temperatures, had a catastrophic effect on crops, vegetation, livestock, and water resources. Unfortunately, the drought has continued into 2017 due to lack of significant rainfall.

In addition to the drought, armed conflict, and economic decline has further exacerbated the problem for some countries.

After two consecutive years of drought, more than 38.8 million people across Southern and Eastern Africa are food-insecure and in urgent need of assistance. A lack of critical funding, coupled with ongoing conflicts in certain locations, is hindering the much needed humanitarian response to the most vulnerable.

What is ADRA Doing?

In response to the drought, ADRA and partners have implemented a number of interventions in the following sectors:

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: Water trucking, rehabilitating and drilling new bore holes, distributing water storage containers and water treatment tools, and providing trainings are just some of the ways ADRA is responding in Ethiopia, Somalia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Livelihoods: In Madagascar, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, ADRA is providing training to target communities and distributing agricultural inputs, such as seeds and fertilizer.

Food Security: ADRA is distributing food, food vouchers, and/or running school feeding programs in Burundi, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.

Nutrition: ADRA Zimbabwe is screening for and distributing supplementary food to severe and moderately acutely malnourished (MAM) individuals, as well as providing training in nutrition, food preparation, meal balancing, and garden planning. In Malawi, ADRA has been providing nutrition/ culinary demonstrations to those at risk of MAM as well as distributing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials.

Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction: ADRA is working with communities in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia to design community emergency contingency plans, as well as ensuring residents are better equipped to respond to trends that threaten their lives and livelihoods. Furthermore, ADRA is teaching climate change adaptation techniques to small-scale farmers.

Where is ADRA Responding?

Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan,
Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.