Sir, The humanitarian situation caused by severe drought in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia is a very real one and needs no “hype” (“Crying wolf over famine does Africa no favours”, Thunderer, July 6). Three years of low rainfall has led to widespread crop failures and loss of livestock resulting in a significant increase of malnutrition in many areas of the region — as high as 37 per cent in northeast Kenya. It is true that this part of the world frequently sees high levels of food insecurity but 2011 is far worse than anything seen in recent years. Over 10 million people are currently at risk and the numbers are set to increase.
These crises keep happening because the world allows the region to survive on a knife edge. Longer-term solutions to reduce chronic vulnerability, and the drawn-out conflicts that bedevil this region, are possible. They require the sort of political will and investment our members have long called for. In the short term, the appeal the DEC is launching will provide immediate aid to help prevent a tragedy.
Jonathan Clayton accuses UK agencies of competing for funds. In fact, they have come together to launch the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal precisely because the situation is so grave.
Brendan Gormley
Chief Executive Disaster Emergencies Committee