Egypt Acknowledges Ethiopian Filling of Blue Nile Dam Not a Problem This Year

 Agence France Press published on 19 May 2021 an article titled "Egypt Foreign Minister Says Water Safe Despite Ethiopian Dam Threat."

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry is quoted as saying "We are confident the second filling of the dam [Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile] by Ethiopia won't affect Egyptian water interests adversely.  We can deal with it through strict management of our water resources."

The Egypt Independent published on 19 May 2021 a similar account titled "The Second Filling of the GERD Will Not Impact Our Interests, Assures Egypt's FM."

Comment:  I have been making this argument for the past two years.  

Why Has Coronavirus Had So Little Impact on Ethiopia?

Ethiopia Insight posted on 28 May 2020 an analysis titled "Is COVID-19 as Infectious and Fatal in Ethiopia? Perhaps Not" by Daniel Hailu, multidiciplinary researcher.

As of 8 May, Ethiopia had only 194 confirmed cases of COVID-19, lower even than most countries in Africa.  Reasons for this may be that Ethiopia closed its borders early, although large numbers of passengers arrived at the airport in Addis Ababa during February and March, low testing capacity in Ethiopia, unreported cases, and good containment interventions.  On the other hand, it may be due to Ethiopia's climate, the high altitude of much of the country, a young population, widespread vaccination against tuberculosis, or genetics.

Drought in Somalia

The Mogadishu-based Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) published in April 2017 a report titled "Somalia's Drought Induced Crises: Immediate Action and Change of Strategy Needed."

The drought in Somalia now covers the entire country. If rain does not arrive by mid-April, and if massive humanitarian assistance does not arrive, the drought could become an insidious famine devastating the country. The report makes suggestions for a more effective Somali government response to the crisis.

Paper on Ethiopia's Renaissance Dam

Global Dialogue published in its Summer/Autumn 2013 edition a paper titled "The Human Security Dimensions of Dam Development: the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam" by Jennifer C. Veilleux, Oregon State University geography PhD student.  The paper is based on research done at the location of the Renaissance Dam and emphasizes issues of human security. 

Update on Somali Famine 2010-2012

Famine in Somalia. Flickr/United Nations

A new study estimates that famine and severe food insecurity in Somalia claimed the lives of about 258,000 people between October 2010 and April 2012, including 133,000 children under five.  The UN Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit for Somalia and the USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) commissioned the study.

A two page summary of the study said a combination of events triggered the famine.  First, the eastern Horn of Africa experienced the driest period in 60 years.  Second, donors delivered a low amount of humanitarian aid in southern Somalia in 2010 and much of 2011.  In many areas, conflict and insecurity impeded humanitarian aid and access.  You can access the complete 87 page report titled "Mortality among populations of southern and central Somalia affected by severe food insecurity and famine during 2010-2012" by following the link in the summary. 

Roger Middleton on the food crisis in the Horn of Africa

There has been a heated discussion in recent weeks on the food crisis in the Horn of Africa. There have been charges and counter charges concerning the severity of the crisis. Writing in The World Today, Roger Middleton briefly and dispassionately summarized the situation in an item titled "Horn of Africa Food Crisis: Perfect Storm." He concluded that climate is the most obvious and immediate cause of the crisis but added conflict and displacement of people have contributed significantly to the problem.

Climate change in Africa

The Grantham Institute for Climate Change has just released an excellent scientific study on the impact of climate change in Africa. It concludes that northern and southern Africa will become much hotter. Eastern Africa, the Horn of Africa and parts of central Africa are likely to see an increase in rainfall. It is not clear, however, that this will result in an increase in the flow of water in the Nile. Vector borne diseases such as malaria and dengue may spread and become more severe. There continues to be a poor understanding of the drivers of Africa's climate and their complex interactions. The best assumption is that many regions of Africa will suffer from droughts and floods with greater frequency and intensity. Prepared by Gordon Conway, professor of international development at Imperial College London, the twenty-four page report is titled "The Science of Climate Change in Africa: Impacts and Adaptation" and dated October 2009. You can access it here (in PDF). Image: "Climate change canvas" by oxfam international via creative commons on flickr. "My illustration shows how time is running out for Africa – and it's in our hands," says the artist who is from Melbourne, Australia. "I feel that Africa will suffer most. As we all experience global warming, Africa’s resources are stretched to help overcome starvation and loss of livelihood."