Home
Weather New York
WeatherRadar
RainRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Weather News /

    Worst drought in decades: Catastrophic famine in East Africa

03:00 PM
July 16, 2022

Millions are hungry
Catastrophic famine hits East Africa

People carrying wheat sacks at a food distribution site in the western Tigray region of Ethiopia
People carrying wheat sacks at a food distribution site in the western Tigray region of Ethiopia - © picture alliance

Several countries in East Africa are facing severe famine following one of the worst droughts in decades.

Following a very poor start to the rainy season, with below-average rains from March to May, and the fifth consecutive season without adequate rain, conditions are life-threatening.

More than 18 million people are currently suffering across Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia, to name a few, and are in desperate need of food aid and support in order to survive. In Somalia, they are experiencing the worst drought in 40 years.

Food security in Somalia is currently only 20% funded, with 230,000 Somalis already living in famine conditions.

A nutrition clinic there has reported a 265 percent rise in the number of severely malnourished children under the age of five.

The crisis in Ukraine, combined with the economic impact of the pandemic, are responsible for driving the cost of food, but climate change is creating widespread, worsening conditions too.

The climate used to be predictable for those living in the East Africa, but with rain continuing to fail and water essential for agricultural production and health, the people are in crisis.

James West
More on the topic
Hurricane parade in the Pacific. Karina is very strong. . Weather Videos. Tuesday, September 1, 2026
WindRadar for Friday, showing the three hurricanes – Lowell, Karina and Maria – over the Pacific.
Weather VideosTuesday, September 1, 2026

Karina is very strong

Hurricane parade in the Pacific
Record ocean heat halting hurricanes. Strong El Niño influence. . . Sunday, September 13, 2026
A weather map shows a calm Atlantic Ocean with no hurricanes, alongside a picture of the sea.
Sunday, September 13, 2026

Strong El Niño influence

Record ocean heat halting hurricanes
10 facts about fog. Low clouds. . . Sunday, September 27, 2026
Fog impacting the Appalachian Mountains.
Sunday, September 27, 2026

Low clouds

10 facts about fog
All weather news
This might also interest you
40-degree difference over 101 miles. Eureka to Redding. . . Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Eureka to Redding

40-degree difference over 101 miles
Rounds of rain for Florida. Not so Sunshine State. . . Monday, October 5, 2026
While October typically marks a transition to drier weather in Florida, the first full week of the month is kicking off with heavy rain. But how much rain are we talking about?
Monday, October 5, 2026

Not so Sunshine State

Rounds of rain for Florida
Useful tips when driving in the rain. Flood safety. . . Saturday, October 3, 2026
Saturday, October 3, 2026

Flood safety

Useful tips when driving in the rain
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

instagramfacebookthreadslinkList