Detection of Severe Drought in the Horn of Africa
 NOAA satellites detected areas of stifling drought conditions in parts of
Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia for the sixth year in a row in 2005. These
conditions left the region with threats of starvation, water shortages,
widespread crop losses and disease outbreaks, according to NESDIS
researchers. The 2005 drought gripped the region, known as the Horn
of Africa, in January and continued to impact areas of eastern Kenya,
southeastern Ethiopia and northern and central Somalia. At stake was
the minor agricultural season, which runs from March through May,
and normally provides enough food to sustain the population through
the fall when the next harvest becomes available.
Figure. Vegetation conditions in the Horn of Africa from January
– May for the years 2000 to 2005. Drought conditions are
indicated by red shading.
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