A severe drought in Janamora woreda, in North Gondar Zone of the Amhara region, is causing a major humanitarian crisis, with communities facing worsening water shortages due to prolonged rainfall deficits and the effects of El Niño.

Residents are facing worsening water shortages, while the drought poses a recurring threat to livelihoods and agricultural production. Of the 38 kebeles in the woreda, 18 have been affected by drought, leaving more than 96,000 people facing severe shortages of food and water, according to Salih Hassan, head of the woreda’s agriculture office, who spoke to Tikvah Ethiopia website.

The official said the rain, which normally begins in May, was delayed until 26 July, preventing farmers from planting their crops on time. Of the 38 kebeles in the woreda, five received their first spell of rain on 26 July, while another five have received rain on only four days since the start of the rainy season, Salih was quoted as saying.

Of the more than 25,000 hectares where seeds were planted, crops on more than 8,100 hectares failed to develop. The teff crop, a major staple in Ethiopia, in particular, was almost completely lost, as the plants stopped growing before reaching maturity, creating serious food security concerns in the area.

Salih Hassan said the drought is having a serious impact on the mental wellbeing of farmers and their families. In Wasel kebele, one of the woreda’s 38 kebeles, seven men reportedly attempted to take their own lives by drinking poison in a single day, amid severe financial hardship and despair linked to the drought. Two of them died shortly afterwards, while five survived after receiving medical treatment, the head of the woreda’s agriculture office told Tikvah Ethiopia. 

Around 71 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, while a further 5,029 are moderately malnourished.More than 4,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are also suffering from chronic malnutrition, according to officials. River flows have fallen by more than 90%, forcing people to rely on contaminated water for drinking. As a result, infectious diseases such as scabies, malaria and dysentery are reportedly becoming widespread in the woreda.

More than 3,000 livestock have died so far due to shortages of feed and water, while nearly 4,000 others have been moved to neighbouring areas in search of pasture and water.

There have also been sporadic reports of anthrax in the area. The woreda has no stock of the necessary imported medicines, while supplies are also unavailable at regional level, raising fears that livestock deaths could worsen.