12 May 2005, Dasheq - Children from a pastoralist community being checked for malnutrition at a feeding clinic set up by the NGO Merlin. Pastoralists have had no means to get their children enough food or help and must wait until non-governmental organizations (NGOs) conduct outreach screening programs to find the most malnourished people. During the past decade, the frequency of drought has increased steadily with shorter recovery periods, having an intense impact on pastoralists who are among the region's most vulnerable population. There are around 15 million people at risk in the Horn of Africa of which more than 8 million have been identified as being in need of urgent emergency assistance. Though the rains have come problems facing pastoralists still persist after 3 years of drought resulting in severe stress, food insecurity, livestock deaths and high rates of malnutrition.