by Christine Lagat
NAIROBI, June 19 (Xinhua) -- A paradigm shift is required urgently to break the cycle of droughts that are to blame for acute hunger and malnutrition in the East and Horn of Africa region, a senior charity official said on Monday.
Fatoumata Nafo-Traore, Regional Director for Africa at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), regretted that countries in the East and Horn of Africa continue to grapple with ravages of famine despite decades of humanitarian support.
"Famine and starvation are threatening the lives of tens of millions of people in Africa today. As we respond to the current crisis, it is imperative that we fast-track efforts aimed at investing in longer-term solutions, if we are to break the endless cycle of food insecurity," Traore remarked.
The UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in its latest update said that an estimated 26.5 million people in the greater Horn of Africa are food insecure.
During a recent media briefing in Nairobi, UN officials said that Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Burundi and Kenya are the epicenters of food crisis occasioned by failed rains and conflicts.
Traore proposed radical measures that harness modern technologies to promote climate-resilient food production in the region.
"It is inexcusable in the 21st century to say that Africa is surprised by drought, one of the leading causes of food insecurity. With new technologies, climate prediction, historical data, we can anticipate the onset of drought," said Traore.
He urged governments in the region and their multilateral partners to invest in drought resilience projects that would improve nutrition status of local people.
"We need to invest in long-term community-level capacities and systems so that local communities are prepared for any future shocks," said Traore, adding that international solidarity is required to strengthen action on desertification and other ecological vagaries responsible for chronic hunger and malnutrition in the region.
