El Niño has again caused significant damage across Horn of Africa
Since September, 2015, El Niño brought heavy rainfall, causing significant damages to property and loss of lives in different Horn of African countries, reports Coastweek. The damages were highlighted at the opening of the 42nd Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 42) Monday in Kigali, Rwanda. At the opening of the meeting, Rwanda’s Minister of Natural resources, Vincent Biruta said there is need for better coordination among regional countries to mitigate and respond to disasters affecting power generation, agriculture produce, health, and food security.
Jean Baptiste Nsengiyumva, the director of disaster risk reduction and preparedness at Rwanda’s Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugee Affairs, said in Rwanda, 1,381 hectares of crops have been damaged due to floods, landslides, strong winds across the country. Sixty head of cattle were also struck by lightning and several road networks and two bridges were damaged.