The UN currently estimates that 11.5 million people in parts of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya and Somalia are severely affected by the major food security crisis and in need of assistance (UNHCR, 17 July 2011). The Horn of Africa has been building since the complete failure of the October-December 2010 rains. Consequent harvest failure was followed by late and erratic rains between March and May 2011.
