Catastrophic consequences of the multi-year drought will continue in 2023 in the Horn of Africa, leaving communities in urgent need of assistance. According to new seasonal forecast, below-normal rainfall is expected in most parts of the region over the next three months. Should this happen, it would be an unprecedented sixth poor season, according to a new joint statement by meteorological agencies and humanitarian partners.
Drought-stricken parts of the Greater Horn of Africa are bracing for a fifth consecutive failed rainy season, which will worsen the crisis which is impacting millions of people.
A new seasonal forecast for the drought-stricken Horn of Africa shows higher chances of a strong rainy season in many parts of the region. But this is coupled with caution and warnings that stakeholders should still prepare for “worst case scenarios.”
A drier than usual season is forecasted across Eastern Africa from October to December 2021. In particular, in Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, southern, central, and north-western Somalia, southern and south-eastern Ethiopia, and the Red Sea coast of northern Eritrea. Of particular concern are the drier than usual conditions forecasted over the cross-border areas of Kenya and Somalia, according to IGAD's Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC).
The upcoming rainfall season, June to September is an important rainfall season for Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. For some of these countries, it is the main farming season for their staple crops.
A wetter than usual June to September season is expected over Sudan, South Sudan, most of Ethiopia, and Uganda indicating good prospects for pasture and crop production. The season is expected to start early...
