Abstract:
The Greater Horn of Africa, in the continent’s east, depends on rain-fed
agriculture and is highly vulnerable to drought. Even with normal rainfall,
the region does not produce enough food to meet its needs. Devastating
droughts occurred in 1973–74, 1984–85, 1987, 1992–94, 1999–2000,
and 2005–06. The failure of the rains in 2009 led to massive food shortages
in East Africa and destroyed 40% of Kenya’s maize harvest. Failure of
the rains in late 2010 and in 2011 has precipitated a humanitarian crisis
once again.
