Plan International is responding to the needs of children as the impacts of the weather phenomenon El Niño worsen. In the Horn of Africa, where the impact is severe, it’s not just food that’s running out - it’s time.
Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda, are expected to be worst affected, leaving children at risk of death, malnutrition, trauma and emotional distress.
According to Dr Unni Krishnan, Plan International’s Head of Disaster Preparedness and Response: “The 2011 Horn of Africa food crisis proves the need to act quickly if lives are to be saved. We are on the brink of disaster. Civil society must form powerful partnerships with governments and other agencies to maximise their impact. Governments must prioritise the needs of children caught up in the crisis and demonstrate strong leadership if we are to reduce suffering and the numbers of lives lost.”
El Niño is a weather phenomenon caused by unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean every few years. It results in extreme weather patterns across tropics and sub-tropics, increasing the risk of food shortages, floods, droughts, disease and forest fires.
A strong El Niño has been building since March 2015 and it is expected to strengthen towards the end of this year.
Plan International is currently working with at-risk communities to put disaster preparedness measures in place and prioritise the needs of children.
We have been monitoring the situation in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda and raising awareness across communities so they are prepared for when El Niño takes hold.
In Ethiopia, a country which already suffers from high rates of malnutrition, time is of the essence.
Plan International is already responding to the needs of children and pregnant women in Sehala, Dehana and Telemt, located in the Amhara Region, in the north of Ethiopia, providing both food and healthcare.
So far, Plan International Ethiopia has distributed food to 15,466 people.
Health education classes are also taking place for parents with children under 5 and pregnant women, with a focus on the causes of malnutrition, sanitation and personal hygiene, as well as how to use and prepare the food.
Health workers are also being supported and trained so they are able to look after children with severe malnutrition.
Girls particularly vulnerable
Girls, in particular, are at a higher risk. As food and water shortages rocket, adolescent girls are at risk of sexual abuse as they are often tasked to fetch water and have to walk longer distances through unsafe and unlit places to collect it. Moreover, they may be forced into marriage before they are ready, to reduce the number of mouths a family has to feed.
It’s clear that a swift and effective response is needed. It is imperative that preparedness measures are put in place otherwise the lives of children, mothers and other vulnerable people will be at risk.