2012 Sahel drought
Contents
Future droughts of the Sahel Region
The droughts are becoming increasingly more common, worse and more threatening due to global warming.[1] A possible explanation to the aridity trend is the supplements of an oceanography phenomenon called El Niño.[2] An idea is that evaporation is occurring at higher rate due to the change in Sea surface temperature, this then impacts the amount of rain the Sahel region receives[2] Another factor to keep into consideration is the response of our atmosphere to stimulants like greenhouse gases and carbon emissions.[2]
Societal impacts
Mass Famine
Valerie Amos, UN Humanitarian Chief during 2012, released a statement during the year stating that over 15 million people were malnourished in West Africa and the Sahel region.[3] The main contributor to the famine was the drought of Sahel, ensued from a combination of failing crops and El Niño.[2]
Mauritania and Chad recorded a loss in crop yield of over 50% when compared to 2011. Food reserves in the areas affected were very low and combined with corn prices soaring by 60-85% compared to averages over the last five years. In Chad alone this food crisis affected some 3.6 million people.[4] In places like Burkina Faso over 2.8 million were suffering from famine and in Senegal over 800,000 did not have enough to eat.[3]
External links
- FAO, the 2012 Sahel Crisis
- SOS Children 2012, Sahel drought
- The Guardians Poverty Matters Blog May 2012, Baaba Maal: people in the Sahel region need food and water now
- ABC News, May 2012, UN: 18 Million in West Africa to Go Hungry in 2012
- CNN, June 2012, A distress call from Africa's Sahel: Millions might starve
References
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