2006 Horn of Africa food crisis 2006 Horn of Africa food crisis In 2006, an acute shortage of food affected the countries in the Horn of Africa (Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia), as well as northeastern Kenya. The United Nations's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated on January 6, 2006, that more than 11 million people in these countries may be affected by an impending widespread famine, largely attributed to a severe drought, and exacerbated by military conflicts in the region. Drought is a predictable event in the Horn of Africa, and when combined with other factors it causes conflict and terrible human misery. Previous droughts in
Culture of Africa Horn of Africa, the main traditional dishes in Ethiopian cuisine and Eritrean cuisine are "tsebhis" (stews) served with "injera" (flatbread made from teff, wheat, or sorghum), and hilbet (paste made from legumes, mainly lentil, faba beans). Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine (especially in the northern half) are very similar, given the shared history of the two countries. The related Somali cuisine consists of an exotic fusion of diverse culinary influences. Varieties of "bariis" (rice), the most popular probably being basmati, usually serve as the main dish. "Xalwo" (halwo) or halva is a popular confection served during special occasions such as Eid