East Africa Food Crisis 2006
In 2006 millions of people across the Horn of Africa were faced with a food crisis. Affected countries included Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
- Up to 11 million people affected by severe food and water shortages
- Livestock died in huge numbers
A result of prolonged drought and poverty, the East Africa food crisis was at its height in March 2006. The situation has improved but the increasing unpredictability of the rains leaves millions facing an uncertain future.
We launched a massive emergency response.
This drought has no comparison. No other drought has been like this. It's all-encompassing. All regions are affected; there is no place of escape, everywhere is dried out.
Hassan Mahmood, Kenya, March 06
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An unimaginable situation
The effects of a prolonged severe drought across Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia and Ethiopia, were compounded by a series of underlying problems, including the economic and social marginalisation of affected communities.
Millions of people faced starvation and the loss of their way of life. Thousands of animals died from lack of water and pasture. The rains brought flooding in some places, causing more hardship, and the death of already weak animals.
Conditions have improved but millions of people remain in a precarious situation.
A fragile existence
Those worst affected by the food crisis are some of the poorest, most marginalised, people in East Africa – the animal-herding communities, also known as 'pastoralists'.
Dependent on their animals for survival, they move seasonally to find pasture. They are used to dealing with drought and food shortages. But droughts are becoming more frequent and more prolonged and the recovery time between each is shortening.
Already, following previous droughts, thousands of pastoralists have been forced to abandon this way of life and find alternate means of making a living.
Getting involved
Oxfam responded quickly to lessen the effects of the drought. We continue to work with pastoralist communities to help them recover, and find long-term solutions to their problems.
Oxfam's response
Early on in the food crisis we were providing food and water to those most in need.
Other work
We also responded by:
- Distributing seeds
- Providing veterinary services
- Providing oil, parts and training to get broken down water pumps up and running again
- Paying people for working on community projects
- Paying people fairly for weak animals that were slaughtered and the meat distributed
Long-term approach
We have been working with pastoralist groups for a number of years. We are helping them develop their own organisations, through which they can represent themselves and overcome the economic and political marginalisation they face.
This approach, coupled with our continuing work to support people’s livelihoods, will help communities to be better prepared for future droughts.
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