Lawrence Bong

 

3/8/02

 

 

 

Drought and Famine: CILSS Sahel Predictions, FAO Appeal for Ethiopia" Africa Research Bulletin (Economic Series) V. 24, N. 9, October 31, 1987, p. 8854.

 

Main Idea:

 

The Interstates Committee to Fight Drought in The Sahel has made predictions that after the good harvests of 1985 and 1986, the harvest in 1987 will be poor.  The lack of rain and poor distribution of agriculture are responsible for the poor quality harvest.

 

Summary:

 

This article describes the drought conditions present in several Ethiopian states.

 

Mauritania:

The people in the central and northern regions have shown cases of undernutrition with diarrhea.  Harvests in this region are reported to be more than 30% down from last year.  The sparse rainfall here is a reason for the drop in harvest.

 

Mali:

Rainfall here has also been low and sparse.  It is still too early to make a conclusion, but the food shortages in the north, north-west and southern regions are the first signs of reported famine in the area.

 

Cape Verde:

This year is the most rainfall they have seen in 20 years.  The people hope the good rainfall will lead to a good harvest.

 

Senegal:

Generally rain is evenly distributed in this region.  Rainfall count is up in September but is still not as great as the average from 1930-1960.  If the rains continue normally Senegal will be self sustainable.

 

FAO Appeal for Ethiopia:

The UN in September called for massive food donations for Ethiopia.  Crops here have been decimated by drought for the second time in three years.  It is predicted that by year end, food shortages will be severe.  The Ethiopian government requested 950,000 tons of grain but the FAO has predicted they will need more.  The harvest in Eritrea and Tigre are expected to fail completely.  The FAO wants to make food allocations early to famine areas.