This study, a collaboration between FEWS NET and FSNAU (Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit - Somalia), summarizes that the actual number of people lost in the 2011-2012 drought was higher than the 1992 drought & famine in the region. That being said the 1992 famine is considered more sever because a larger percentage of the population died.  

To oversimplify? To me, this means that in the last 20 years - no matter how challenging and complicated the circumstances have become - we've:
1. learned from the past
2. embraced our world neighbors in a more significant way

I'm so glad we came together to do a little something about it!

May 2013 update in the region...
Famine Early Warning Systems Network

12.9 million people remain in Stressed, Crisis and Emergency areas as determined by FEWS NET.  
Improvement from December 2012 estimated 14.9 million.
The link above has more detail.  

Thank you everyone who stopped by at the West Bend Farmer's Market to help drought relief in the Horn of Africa.  Yesterday we raised $328!  The situation is still terribly fragile.  Food security levels in Eastern Africa remain at crisis and emergency levels.  

"The communities we work with in the Horn of Africa region are still very vulnerable," says CARE's East and Central Africa Regional Director Emma Naylor-Ngugi. 

from UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

the continuing crisis ~ outlook for rainfall even this season  is bleak

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Full_Report_3791.pdf

World Water Day March 22, 2012!

http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/index.html

Ways to help:

• follow a healthier, sustainable diet
• consume less water-intensive products
• reduce the scandalous food wastage: 30% of the food produced worldwide is never eaten and the water used to produce it is definitively lost
• produce more food, of better quality, with less water

Still 10.4 million people in need

The situation in Ethiopia and Kenya is stabilizing, but across the Horn of Africa, there remain 10.4 million people in need.

http://one.org/blog/2012/02/17/famine-declared-over-but-lets-not-lose-sight-of-whats-at-stake/

KANGA COFFEE in Merton!

Definitely worth the visit, they have great coffee, a beautifully renovated and relaxing space, and they're selling "There's a Drought" cds!


http://kangacoffee.com/

UN declares end to famine but warns the international community not to be complacent

Rains + foreign aid = fragile and temporary improvement 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/un-declares-end-to-somalia-famine-but-warns-crisis-not-over/2012/02/03/gIQAAQxFnQ_story.html