Why drought response and peace efforts should go hand in hand

Mzee Abdulahi Tadicha and Kenya Red Cross staff lift the carcass of livestock in Korbesa Village, Isiolo North Sub-County, on February 20, 2023. [File, Standard]

The arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) are once again confronting the familiar pressures of drought. Rainfall variability, rising temperatures, and recurrent dry spells are constraining access to water and pasture across vast landscapes that sustain millions of livelihoods. What is often under-acknowledged is that drought in the ASALs is not only a humanitarian or environmental challenge, but also a peace and stability concern.