More than three consecutive years of failed rains in East Africa has caused the worst drought in ten years. A slideshow by ProExposure photographers Karayour Debese Wariyo, Dama Boru, Dhaki Tukuu and Borbor Bule.

2. proexposure.co.uk ProExposure Spotlight: East Africa Drought Borana Pastoralists, southern Ethiopia Karayour Debese Wariyo Dama Boru Dhaki Tukuu Borbor Bule

3. The Borana pastoralists are semi-nomadic livestock herders, and wealth is measured by the number of cattle belonging to a household.

4. In normal times these large herds represent a significant cash resource. But pastoralists are reluctant to sell off animals and when drought strikes their assets and livelihoods are wiped out.

5. More than three consecutive years of failed rains in East Africa has caused the worst drought in ten years.

6. Up to 3.8 million families face the prospect of chronic food and water shortages as the persistent drought claims crops and animals.

7. Herds of animals die from exhaustion and thirst.

8. Cattle are weak and dying as grazing land disappears while those animals that do survive are in poor condition and cannot be sold at market.

9. The skinny animals which are left are too weak to milk leaving families hungry and suffering without their main supply of food.

10. Meanwhile, the price of basic food has skyrocketed, due to a combination of drought and the world economic downturn.

11. ProExposure photographers Dhaki and Karayour own small amounts of livestock. Dhaki also grows maize, wheat, barley and beans. Only one crop every five years is likely to be successful.

12. Communities construct water cisterns from stone and cement, with advice and materials from Ethiopian organisation Action for Development. The cisterns collect water during the rains and provide up to three months of supply to the community.

13. In times of drought, water can also be tankered to the cistern from elsewhere for storage.

14. The vast region East Africa face more droughts now because of climate change. Droughts are so frequent and severe communities lurch from one crisis to the next without any time to recover.

15. We try to show the problems we have. The long distance travelling, collecting water and fuel wood.

16. proexposure.co.uk ProExposure CIC Reg No 6487298 ProExposure Spotlight: East Africa Drought Borana Pastoralists, southern Ethiopia Contact us: FROM THE UK 020 7275 8472 OUTSIDE UK 0044 20 7275 8472 E: lnorton@proexposure.co.uk