IFAD warns that a prolonged drought is beginning to cause food shortages across the Horn of Africa and East Africa, and stresses the role of climate change in influencing food prices and availability.
5 July 2011: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has highlighted the impacts of climate change in East Africa, calling for investment in agriculture and smallholder farmers to prevent a major food crisis.
According to IFAD, a prolonged drought is beginning to cause food shortages across the Horn of Africa and East Africa. IFAD describes challenges faced by pastoralists and smallholder farmers in responding to drought. It further outlines its natural resource management activities, including reforestation, erosion control, soil fertility management, and expanding access to water. IFAD concludes by stressing the role of climate change in influencing food prices and availability. [UN Press Release] [IFAD Press Release]