Intermón Oxfam reported this week that East Africa is experiencing a severe water scarcity, with drought affecting the regions of northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. The organization notes that roughly one in five people in this area lack reliable access to safe drinking water. International Water Day statements highlight that about 33.5 million individuals in East Africa are not getting enough water, and forecasts point to low rainfall continuing into the sixth consecutive season, which will likely intensify the ongoing drought.
In response, water costs have surged dramatically since early 2021, rising by as much as 400 percent in some parts of Ethiopia, Somalia, and northern Kenya. This price increase leaves approximately 22.7 million people unable to obtain clean water. In pastoral regions such as Marsabit and Turkana, the drought has emptied most water sources, compounding water insecurity and heightening the strain on households reliant on livestock and grazing land.
The head of the non governmental organization emphasized that the region’s hungriest populations are also among the thirstiest. Crops and livestock losses have stripped them of essential livelihoods, and the rising cost of water adds another burden. The situation has been a continual challenge across the continent, with Fati N Zi Hassane noting the gravity of the moment in Africa.
In addition to water scarcity, drought has driven profound agricultural losses. More than thirteen million cattle have died or been forced to perish due to lack of feed and water, while thousands of hectares of crops have withered. The drought is pushing 1.75 million people to abandon their homes in search of water and food, accelerating displacement across affected areas.
Across the Gulf region of Somalia, the water crisis has driven prices higher still. Some 76,000 people are facing famine, and families must decide whether to sell what little they own or move elsewhere to secure water. Many residents rely on tankers to access remotely located wells or to reach emergency water sources. Fueling concerns about safety, some water supplies remain untreated or polluted, leaving people at risk for waterborne diseases such as acute diarrhea or cholera. This is a particularly urgent issue for those without alternatives to scarce and costly water.
Residents of Mogadishu, including Jadra Omar, describe the drought as unprecedented in recent memory. Water sources have diminished to the point where available supplies are too costly for many households to obtain. People report watching water become a daily hardship, with thirst and health risks intensifying as supplies dwindle.
Intermón Oxfam notes that while humanitarian efforts have helped avert a full-scale famine, funding remains critically short. About 20 percent of a seven billion US dollar funding appeal has been secured so far. The United Nations has urged Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia to mobilize more resources. The organization stresses that the world must not ignore East Africa and that a substantial and timely increase in aid is essential to prevent further loss of life due to hunger and thirst. The analysis underscores the need for longer-term solutions beyond immediate relief, including resilient water management and sustainable livelihoods to withstand recurrent droughts. As the situation persists, advocates call for coordinated action to safeguard vulnerable communities and protect drinking water access for the long term.