An international humanitarian body has called for financial support from other global agencies and governments to support fight against hunger across Africa continent.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red crescent societies (IFRC) said that they would require about Sh35 billion to address the situation.
Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday at a Nairobi hotel, IFRC special advisor on the hunger crisis Mahabub Mohammed said the situation can be addressed through coordinated response from partnerships and collaborations.
“We need to work together, all the systems to have this complex multi-sectoral issue and use our resources to solve it,” said Mohammed.
He noted that there is an urgent need to address the problem to save lives that may be lost due to the devastating effects of food insecurity.
Mr Mohammed also said that the organization have strategies in place and appealed for quick action to thwart the underlying dangers of acute food shortage.
IFCR projects that the funds will be able to cushion more than seven million vulnerable people across Africa.
This, they said, will be implemented through cash transfers and distribution of foodstuffs to affected families.
Salome Sinyanko, regional spokesperson East Africa Committee of the Red Cross, said they have placed hunger crisis alert on 23 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Horn of Africa has been worst hit by extreme weather conditions in the recent past, with Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia bearing the brunt of the drought.
The drought saw increased risks of diseases, mental health and gender based violence in the affected areas.
Red Cross expert, Venant Ndighila said the impact in Kenya has mainly been felt in the arid and semi-arid areas which include parts of the North and Coastal regions.
Zachary Misiani, climate expert attributed the food insecurity situation, particularly Eastern Arica and Sahel regions to climate change, armed conflicts and negative macroeconomic impacts.
“It is becoming more evident that there is a traditional shifting of our rain patterns, where some counties are experiencing long rainy seasons in October to December against the norm,” stated Misiani.
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He urged farmers to adapt to the weather changes in order to make dependable yields as agriculture contributes to 33 per cent of the Kenyan economy and consequently 40 per cent of jobs.
Mr Zachary accounted that IFCR is engaging with communities to educate them on the measures to mitigate the effects of drought
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