Weathermen Warn of Looming Drought
NAIROBI, 17 MARCH 2003--The Greater Horn of Africa sub-region has been warned to brace for drought during the March to May long rains season.

Findings by the Eleventh Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum painted a grim picture of the region as the drought is coming at a time when rain stress is still being felt in most parts of the sub-region.

In East Africa, March to May is an important agricultural production period.

The Greater Horn of Africa sub-region comprises Kenya, Ethiopia, the Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda.

Drought Monitoring Centre-Nairobi (DMCN) Project Co-ordinator, Prof Laban Ogallo, challenged governments in the sub-region to take measures to safeguard their populations against adverse effects of the drought.

Ogallo, a climate scientist, made the announcement at the conclusion of a four-day Greater Horn of African Climate Outlook Forum held in Entebbe, Uganda, which was called to formulate consensus guidance for the March to May rainfall season.