The Intergovernmental Authority on Development will on Wednesday release the Greater Horn of Africa climate outlook for the March to May 2023 season.
The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organisation and the European Union will also look at the performance and impacts of the October to December 2022 season.
Also on the agenda are the implications of the March to May 2023 climate forecast and management strategies.
The forum will issue reports on key implications and management strategies for various sectors including agriculture and food security, disaster risk management, water resources and energy, livestock and rangelands, health, nutrition and climate change.
The forum is expected to be graced by Environment CS Soipan Tuya and IGAD executive secretary Workneh Gebeyehu
IGAD convened a meeting with member states on February 20 as the drought situation continues to worsen.
Gebeyehu said the ‘Regional Climate Outlook Forum’ will discuss the drought situation and enhance the ability of Member States to collect and process data for disaster forecasting.
The measures proposed will help reduce the gap between early warning and early action, the official said.
“2021-20122 were some of the most challenging years. It was one of the hottest, driest and most conflict-affected periods for our region in recent memory,” Gebeyehu said.
“IGAD worked diligently to respond to the challenges posed by the global pandemic, climate change, the persistent drought, pest invasions and seasonal flooding, all of which combined contributed to a dire regional food security situation.”
The official has acknowledged that the region remains in the grip of a relentless drought that has lasted for more than two years warning that the situation is still a concern.
This is after climate scientists issued an early warning that this year could be even warmer.
Scientists have again predicted that rains will fail for the sixth consecutive season, pushing millions close to death.
