Germany has committed €20 million to the United Nations to address the escalating drought crisis in East Africa, where 13 million people are at risk of hunger following three consecutive failed rainy seasons since late 2020.
The drought has devastated Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya, with Ethiopia's Oromia, SNNP, and Somali regions among the hardest hit. Over 6.8 million people in these areas face severe food insecurity, while Somalia's 1.4 million potential displacements and 7.7 million in need of aid highlight the region's dire situation. Rainfall deficits of up to 70% have left wells and irrigation systems dry, exacerbating conflicts over dwindling resources.
The funding will support immediate relief efforts, including restoring 26 dried water sources in Ethiopia, providing livestock feed to 50,000 Somalis, and distributing cash transfers to 15,000 Kenyan families. A German embassy statement emphasized the government's focus on rapid, preventive aid, noting its 2021 humanitarian allocation of €564 million for Africa.
Regional challenges include recurring droughts—such as the 2017 crisis—that have left communities vulnerable. Compounding the issue are ongoing conflicts in Ethiopia and Somalia, alongside locust infestations in 2020, which have worsened food insecurity for nomadic herders and farmers alike.
