Early warning prevents famine in drought-stricken southern Africa and Horn of Africa

Drought gripped southern Africa in 1991/92 and 1994/95, seriously decreasing food production on both occasions. In 1991/92, cereal production was reduced by half, leaving subsistence farmers and their families in dire need. Some 18 million people faced starvation. However, effective early warning, rapid regional coordination and adequate international support resulted in a successful relief effort which effectively overcame widespread food shortages and the threat of famine.

As a result of the experience of the 1991/92 crisis, the impact of the 1994/95 drought emergency, while serious, was less devastating. Although the seasonal rains began on schedule in October 1994, allowing planting, the rains soon tapered off to a halt, leaving withered plants in parched fields. FAO's GIEWS and other FAO-assisted national and regional early warning systems in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) issued their initial warnings of impending drought in December.

In southern Africa, as elsewhere, drought areas are typically isolated and difficult to reach; importing relief food from overseas, often through distant, inadequate ports, takes time. Soon after the first warnings were issued, governments, donors and UN agencies began meeting together to make plans for moving large-scale relief aid into the region should it be necessary.

In January and February 1995, the impending onset of food difficulties as a result of drought-induced crop losses in most countries of the subregion was confirmed. In March and April, FAO and WFP experts arrived to assess the situation. The agencies jointly approved an emergency operation to cover urgent relief needs. FAO issued a special alert, asking the international community for relief assistance. In June, donors reacted to an appeal for help by providing 1 million tonnes of food aid and other assistance. Starvation was averted.

In another region frequently racked by drought, the Horn of Africa, FAO is helping to set up a regional early warning system. The Organization is providing technical assistance and training in risk mapping, remote sensing and early warning analysis for regional staff of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and national staff in its seven member countries. FAO believes most farmers can take precautionary measures to guard against drought; the assistance covers measures to mitigate the impact of drought through better rangeland, water and farming system management and adoption of drought-resistant crop varieties, as well as preparedness plans for the rapid mobilization of relief should disaster strike.