Sahel

:See also Sahel, Tunisia, a region of eastern Tunisia.

Droughts

There was a major drought in the Sahel in 1914, caused by annual rains far below average, that caused a large-scale famine. The 1960's saw a large increase in rainfall in the region, making the Northern drier region more accessible. There was a push, supported by governments, for people to move northwards, and as the long drought-period from 1968-1974 kicked in, the grazing quickly became unsustainable, and large-spread denuding of the terrain followed. Like the drought in 1914, this led to a large-scale famine, but this time it was somewhat tempered by international visibility and an outpouring of aid. This catastrophe lead to the founding of the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

Related Topics:
1968 - 1974 - International Fund for Agricultural Development

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See also: Sahel drought

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