FEWS NET: one of the driest Oct–Dec seasons on record

FEWS NET alert: OND totals expected under half of average across most of the eastern Horn, under 30% in places. 20–25 million people in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya need food assistance, drought the main driver for 50–55% of them. Bay/Bakool harvests projected under 10% of average; a poor March–May season would prompt a Famine risk assessment.