NAIROBI, Nairobi | Xinhua | The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, on Wednesday launched a new tool to improve monitoring and response to climate change-induced droughts. Dubbed the “Enhanced East African Drought Watch,” the innovative tool is expected to revolutionize drought forecasting in the region and …
Read More »Drought scorches over 10,000 acres of crops in Moroto
Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Farmers in Moroto district counting losses following the prolonged dry spell that has destroyed crops in the gardens. An estimated 10,000 acres of various crops such as maize, sorghum, bean, sunflower and groundnuts has been ruined by the drought that started in mid June and …
Read More »UN agency says over 9.5 mln livestock died across drought-affected HOA countries
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Xinhua | At least 9.5 million livestock have died across the drought-affected Horn of Africa (HOA) countries of Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has disclosed. “Over 9.5 million livestock have died since the drought started, eroding the primary source of livelihood, income, …
Read More »FAO seeks funds to ramp up humanitarian response in Somalia
Mogadishu, Somalia | Xinhua | The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said Monday it urgently requires additional funding to ramp up humanitarian response in Somalia, which is facing a devastating drought in 40 years. The FAO said while humanitarian assistance has prevented worse outcomes and staved …
Read More »Multinational researchers find genes associated with drought tolerance of wheat
Jerusalem, Israel | Xinhua | A multinational research team identified a cluster of genes in common wheat that regulate root growth, which may be significant for culturing drought-resistant types, the University of Haifa (UH) in northern Israel said Wednesday. Reaserchers from China, the United States, Argentina and Israel found that wheat …
Read More »UN says 22.6 mln Ethiopians food insecure due to drought, conflict, rising food prices
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Xinhua | About 22.6 million people in Ethiopia are food insecure due to a combination of drought, conflict and increase in food prices, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has warned. The UNOCHA said in its latest situation update issued late Thursday that …
Read More »UN warns of deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia
Mogadishu, Somalia | Xinhua | The United Nations top relief official in Somalia warned on Tuesday the humanitarian situation in Somalia remains extremely serious and called for sustained and improved assistance to avert famine. Adam Abdelmoula, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia said …
Read More »Drought in his community turned Omunuk to climate activism
Watching his friends drop out of school due to the impact of drought, Joshua Omunuk was determined to do something about the situation. Then he came across Vanessa Nakate’s Rise Up movement Soroti, Uganda | BIRD AGENCY | When 27-year-old Joshua Omunuk joined the Rise Up Movement, a platform founded …
Read More »Horn of Africa hit by drought, cholera: UN
United Nations | Xinhua | Amid the worst drought in 40 years, Horn of Africa countries have been hit by outbreaks of cholera and acute watery diarrhea, while fighting in northern Ethiopia continues, a UN spokesman said on Friday. The start of the October-December rains has been poor, and rainfall will …
Read More »UN refugee chief warns of “largely unnoticed” crises in Horn of Africa
Geneva, Switzerland | Xinhua | The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Tuesday called on world leaders to spare no efforts in assisting countries in the Horn of Africa to break the cycle of conflicts and climate crises. Concluding a five-day visit to Somalia and Kenya on Tuesday, …
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