Impact of drought and famine in Somalia

Case Study from the year 2017 in the subject Politics - Region: Africa, grade: -, , language: English, abstract: This article presents a comprehensive review and analysis of the available literature and information on droughts and famines in Bay and Bakool Regions to build a continental, regional and country level perspective on geospatial and temporal variation of droughts in Somalia. The available (though limited) evidence before the 20th century confirms the occurrence of several extreme and multi-year droughts and famines during each century, with the most prolonged and intense droughts and famines that occurred in Bay and Bakool Regions of Somalia. The future predictions of droughts and famines based on global climate models indicates an increased rate at the continental scale. However, the available evidence from the past clearly shows that the Somalia regions are likely to face extreme and extensive droughts and famines in future. To reduce the negative impacts of droughts and famines in the select regions of Somalia, there is a clear need for increased and integrated efforts. This article was adapted to better understand the Drought and Famine in Somalia. The study focused the impact of both drought and famine in two regions viz; Bay and Bakool Regions. As a result it draws out important continuities with the famine of the early 1990s as well as specific food security and vulnerability characteristics within Bay and Bakool Regions of Somalia which have been discussed on the basis of situation at that time. 'Minority' populations were most affected in both drought and famines. This identity overlaps with specific geographic areas and more inactive, rural and agriculturally based livelihoods, distinct from other population groups. These dimensions are important in understanding long-term marginalization processes and outcomes, also help to understand the differential levels of risk and other complicating factors in the 2016-17 drought and famine.