The 2020-2023 Horn of Africa drought is an ongoing drought that hit the countries of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. The rainy season of 2022 was recorded to be the driest in 70 years. , the region is now in its 5th failed rainy season and a 6th failed season is predicted. Background The drought is preceded by the 2011 East Africa drought and the 2017 Somali drought, and is caused by the El Niño effect. Humanitarian situation As of November 29, 2022, 36.4 million are reported to be affected in total, 24.1 million in Ethiopia, 7.8 million in Somalia and 4.5 million in Kenya. This includes 9 million women of reproductive age (15 to 49 years) who face dangers to their health and aggravated risks of gender-based violence due to the drought. 18 million are facing extreme hunger, 1.5 million are displaced, and 9.5 million livestock are reported dead, 4 million in Ethiopia, 2.5 million in Kenya and over 3 million in Somalia. Resulting in $1.5 billion being lost in livestock alone. 5.1 million children are acutely malnourished in drought-affected areas, of whom nearly 2.7 million are in Ethiopia, 640,000 in Kenya and 1.8 million in Somalia. In Somalia, 7.8 million people face extreme hunger, a number that is expected to rise to 8 million by mid-2023, or half of the nations population. The droughts effects are further exacerbated by the Russo-Ukrainian War, as Somalia exported 90% of its wheat from the region, with its own farming capabilities destroyed in the 3 decade long Somali Civil War. Livestock and wildlife Pastoralists have reported much of their livestock perishing in the drought. In 2021, half of the lifestock of men in the town of Kargi, Kenya was reported to have died. Furthermore, the deaths of 205 elephants 512 wildebeests 381 common zebras 51 buffalos 49 Grévy's zebras 12 giraffes were reported between September 2021 to 2022 May by the Kenyan Wildlife Service in the Amboseli, Tsavo and Laikipia-Samburu areas. See also 2011 East Africa drought 2017 Somali drought 2021 Somali drought References Climate change and the environment Droughts in Africa Horn of Africa Drought Horn of Africa Drought Horn of Africa Drought