NAIROBI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Greater Horn of Africa will experience below-normal rainfall during the March to May season as the region continues to bear the brunt of climate variability, the Climate Prediction and Application Center (ICPAC) of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, said on Tuesday.

According to a seasonal climate forecast issued by ICPAC, below-average rainfall is expected in much of Somalia, eastern and northern Kenya, southern and northeastern Ethiopia, Djibouti, coastal Eritrea, western South Sudan, southern and western Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and northwestern Tanzania.

"This season is critical for the equatorial part of the Greater Horn of Africa region and usually contributes up to 60 percent of the annual rainfall in many parts," ICPAC said.

ICPAC further forecasted a higher likelihood of warmer-than-normal conditions across most parts of the Greater Horn of Africa, with the highest probabilities -- more than 75 percent -- over Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, northern Somalia, and northern Kenya.

According to ICPAC, the predicted climatic conditions for the season are likely to have "gender-differentiated impacts on the affected populations, with more adverse effects expected to be pronounced among women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities."

Abdi Fidar, officer in charge at ICPAC, said the IGAD region faces increasing climate variability and extremes, including droughts, floods, and rising temperatures. He stressed the importance of understanding these risks and fostering collaboration to mitigate their impacts.

ICPAC urged all stakeholders to take proactive steps to reduce the impacts on the most vulnerable populations. Enditem

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