Horn of Africa drought
 

Is there any impact on travel from the drought?

We're planning on the classic Wadi Haifa, Khartoum, Addis, Moyale route and were looking at proximity to some of the areas (NE Kenya) where there are large amounts of refugees.

Thanks, Ian

We went thorough Moyale - Marsabit a couple of months ago, and while the area is very dry, it is virtually unpopulated. From what I know from people who have crossed in the past two weeks, there are currently no issues. We were in Eastern Sudan (Kassala are) earlier, and saw some camps, but had no issues travelling through.

Al Jez has some recent stories:

Plea for 'massive aid' for Africa refugees - Africa - Al Jazeera English

"The epicentre of the drought lies on the three-way border shared by Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, a nomadic region where families depend heavily on livestock. Uganda and Djibouti have also been hit by the crisis."

Inside world's biggest refugee camp | Al Jazeera Blogs
"I have been to refugee camps before, but nothing on the sheer scale of Dadaab. The camp was only supposed to house tens of thousands, but according to the latest UNHCR figures there are now more than 370,000 people here."

I wouldn't be surprised if the droughts were only effecting the really poor. Those who can't afford to buy water in bottles.

The area's where kids are dying of thirst, there's probably 2,000 "AID" workers sipping cool bottled water in their nice hotel bar.

I'm sure there will be plenty of bottled water about for those who are the right colour to afford it... (Sic I know)

I lost a lot of faith and learnt a lot about charities while passing through this region.. Really shows you what a media circus and business it is..

"Hey starving kid. Smile for a picture for the newsletter.... Just don't put your dirty hands on my $80,000 land Cruiser that the charity bought for me to drive to the only 4* Hotel and back.... And no, I don't have any food/water/money.. I spent it all in the white mans bar"