The Horn of Africa
Five failed rainy seasons, then catastrophic floods.
Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya endured the worst drought in 40 years - five consecutive failed rainy seasons - pushing over 20 million people into acute hunger. Then, in late 2023, El Niño-driven rains brought deadly flooding. Whiplash between extremes is the new normal.
People facing acute food insecurity
23M+
at the drought’s peak
5 in a row
Failed rainy seasons
2020-2023
~13M
Livestock lost
a pastoral lifeline
2M+
Displaced
within the region
<0.1%
Share of global emissions
yet among the hardest hit
Rainfall vs. long-term average
% of normalWhat's happening
- ▸Pastoralist communities lose herds that represent generations of wealth.
- ▸Children face long-term harm from malnutrition during critical years.
- ▸Conflict over water and grazing land intensifies as resources shrink.
What helps
- Early-warning systems and anticipatory aid before disasters peak.
- Drought-tolerant crops, water harvesting and restored rangelands.
- Climate finance and loss-and-damage funding for low-emitting nations.
How it unfolded
- 2020
Rains begin to fail across the region.
- 2022
Drought reaches its most severe extent in four decades.
- 2023
El Niño floods follow drought, displacing millions more.
- 2024
Renewed flooding hits Kenya and Somalia.
Next frontline
Sinking Nations