About the Crisis

Severe drought conditions in the Horn of Africa have exceeded many people’s ability to cope. Relief agencies estimate that more than 20 million people in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya are facing severe food insecurity as a result of the ongoing drought, which was triggered by successive poor rainy seasons in the region.

Across the Horn, people are facing extensive livestock losses, severe water shortages, and degraded pasture for livestock and wilting or absent crop growth. It’s also becoming more difficult for families to afford the food they need due to a sharp increase in staple food prices, declining livestock prices, and low agricultural labor demand.

In response, international humanitarian actors have scaled up emergency relief efforts in the affected countries, providing food, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance, while working to realign existing development programs to meet urgent needs on the ground. More information on the U.S. Government’s humanitarian response to drought in the Horn of Africa can be found on USAID’s Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia webpages.

How You Can Help

Donate

Send cash donations to reputable relief organizations working on the ground. They can make the most difference and save the most lives. Detailed information on how relief organizations use donations can be found at: GiveWell, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, and the Better Business Bureau. For companies that want to help, here is a business guide with tips. Below are organizations responding in the Horn of Africa.

Volunteer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in four Americans volunteered for an organization at least once during the course of a year. However, there are a few things that would-be disaster volunteers should stop and consider before getting on a plane.

Additional Resources