Environmental expert Ahmed Haji has warned that the increasing frequency of floods, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures across the Horn of Africa are clear indicators of the growing impact of climate change on the region.
Haji told RTG Digital that climate change is disrupting traditional weather patterns, leading to more intense and unpredictable extreme weather events.
According to the expert, communities that depend heavily on agriculture and livestock are among the hardest hit by the changing climate.
“The Horn of Africa is experiencing longer dry spells, higher temperatures, and more severe flooding than in previous decades. These events are not isolated incidents but are interconnected consequences of climate change,” Haji said.
He noted that rising global temperatures are increasing evaporation rates, drying out soils and water sources, and contributing to recurrent drought conditions.
“At the same time, warmer atmospheric conditions are enabling the air to hold more moisture, resulting in heavier rainfall and destructive floods when storms occur.”
The region has witnessed a series of climate-related disasters in recent years, with droughts causing widespread crop failures and livestock losses, while flash floods have displaced thousands of families and damaged critical infrastructure.
Haji emphasized that vulnerable communities across Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, and other countries in the Horn of Africa are facing mounting challenges as climate shocks become more frequent and severe.
He called for increased investment in climate adaptation measures, including water conservation projects, sustainable land management, early warning systems, and disaster preparedness programs.
“Communities need support to build resilience against climate-related risks. Adaptation and mitigation efforts must be strengthened if we are to protect livelihoods and ecosystems in the region,” he said.
The environmental expert also urged governments, development partners, and local stakeholders to work together in addressing the root causes of climate change while supporting affected populations.
Scientists have consistently warned that the Horn of Africa remains one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change, with rising temperatures expected to exacerbate existing environmental and socio-economic pressures.
Experts say urgent action is needed to reduce vulnerability and safeguard communities from the escalating impacts of climate change as extreme weather events continue to affect millions of people across the region.
