Implications of the Concurrent Conflict and Drought in the Horn of Africa

Please join the CSIS Humanitarian Agenda on 23 March at 2:00 pm EST for a discussion on the multiple, overlapping humanitarian crises in the Horn of Africa.

Drought conditions caused by a La Niña weather system is ravaging agricultural production and regional economies in the Horn of Africa. Meanwhile, much attention remains focused on the brutal conflict in northern Ethiopia, while Al-Shabab continues to carry out attacks in Somalia, and has moved a significant number of fighters into southern Ethiopia, posing new threat across the region including eastern Kenya. Today, nearly 7 million Ethiopians, 1 million Kenyans, and 3 million Somalis require emergency life-saving assistance due to drought conditions, in addition to nearly 10 million needing aid as a result of war in northern Ethiopia, including some 900,0000 facing famine. Yet, donor funding and urgently needed resources have not kept pace with the need.

With much of the Horn of Africa increasingly fragile, the challenge of triaging humanitarian assistance has come into stark relief, along with the political ramifications of not meeting the moment. Historically, in the Horn, drought has preceded major irregular migration and overthrow of governments.

This discussion will feature Jeremy Taylor and Ghada Hatim Eltahir Mudawi and will explore how humanitarian and development agencies, and their donors, can use this moment to respond to the humanitarian needs in a manner that reinforces– rather than undermines – stability.

Additional speakers to be announced.

This event is made possible through the generous support of USAID.