During the Pledging Conference organized by the African Union, this week, African countries present pledged up to USD 350 million to help victims of the devastating famine in the Horn of Africa.

With more than 12 million people affected by the most severe drought seen on the continent in the last 60 years, it is time to chart a serious way forward that will provide a long term solution.

According to the United Nations, the cost relief for the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa has been put at US$2.48 billion of which $1 billion has been committed so far.

There is no doubt that contributions from Africa will go a long way to bridge the funding gap. However, even if the full amount was raised available, the problem will only be addressed for a short term.

It is important to bear in mind that the drought in the Horn of Africa is a result of the effects of climate change.

With a massive decline in productivity in the Horn of Africa, it is imperative that the negative impacts of climate change are confronted because without a comprehensive solution, the region will remain short of food.

African leaders and the international community need to combine efforts and jointly come up with long-term strategies that will avert the effects of climate change and ensure food security on the continent.

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