Geographical Issue
The Eastern African region stretches from Sudan to Botswana. It also goes across from Uganda to the coast of East Africa. The geographical location of Eastern Africa has led to many problems of the region. One of the major problems that the people of the Eastern African region face is the erratic weather patterns. Ever since the last ice age, about 20,000 years ago, Eastern Africa has been susceptible to El Niño and La Niña. El Niño is wind that pushes a warm ocean current towards the coast. La Niña is the wind that pushes cool ocean currents towards the coasts. Both of these weather patterns can cause catastrophic storms.
La Niña particularly affects Eastern Africa. In 2011, there were two back-to-back La Niña’s that caused severe drought in many countries of the Eastern African region. The countries that encountered the most damage from the La Niña’s were: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda. During this time, the rain seasons failed. After the lack of rain in these countries, the crops did not grow. Over 10 million people were faced with famine. With so many people being affected by the weather patterns, it was difficult for the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide relief to the countries. They could only supply food to pregnant women and children. This caused many deaths in Eastern Africa.
On the other hand, El Niño causes frequent rains throughout Eastern Africa. Just this year in October, the El Niño has already brought very wet weather to the Eastern part of Africa. Countries such as: Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. Tens of thousands of people have been affected by the abnormally heavy seasonal rains. Flash floods have caused thousands of people in the region of Eastern Africa to leave their homes and relocate themselves. Humanitarian officials say that the El Niño environment will continue into the next year. Supplies needed for people to endure in these conditions are being delivered to them by boat.
The geographical location of Eastern Africa has lead to many irregular weather patterns. These weather patterns have directly affected countries of this region and its people. One of the reasons behind the inconsistent weather is El Niño and La Niña.
~Caitlin~
La Niña particularly affects Eastern Africa. In 2011, there were two back-to-back La Niña’s that caused severe drought in many countries of the Eastern African region. The countries that encountered the most damage from the La Niña’s were: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda. During this time, the rain seasons failed. After the lack of rain in these countries, the crops did not grow. Over 10 million people were faced with famine. With so many people being affected by the weather patterns, it was difficult for the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide relief to the countries. They could only supply food to pregnant women and children. This caused many deaths in Eastern Africa.
On the other hand, El Niño causes frequent rains throughout Eastern Africa. Just this year in October, the El Niño has already brought very wet weather to the Eastern part of Africa. Countries such as: Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. Tens of thousands of people have been affected by the abnormally heavy seasonal rains. Flash floods have caused thousands of people in the region of Eastern Africa to leave their homes and relocate themselves. Humanitarian officials say that the El Niño environment will continue into the next year. Supplies needed for people to endure in these conditions are being delivered to them by boat.
The geographical location of Eastern Africa has lead to many irregular weather patterns. These weather patterns have directly affected countries of this region and its people. One of the reasons behind the inconsistent weather is El Niño and La Niña.
~Caitlin~