I was in northern Kenya, which is suffering through the worst drought to hit the Horn of Africa in 60 years. The toll of deprivation is everywhere. In the village of Kursin, emaciated livestock is collapsing in the middle of town; the local headmaster,【M1】______ Ismael Ali, told me theyve 'had a problem with dead carcasses around the school.' Attendance has dropped sharply at the【M2】______ beginning of the year, as many families left with the parched【M3】______ region with their flocks, some even crossed into war-torn Somalia【M4】______ in search of food. The drought has been mounting for a year, but it wasnt until the crisis peaked over the summer that the news media and most international donors took notice. Its a familiar cycle: first comes【M5】______ the news media pictures of emaciated infants, followed by conferences on how to do better next time, visitors from top-level【M6】______ government officials and large financial commitments from international organizations and even donors like China and the Ikea Foundation. The United States Agency for International Development and the Ad Council have even begun a celebrity public service campaign with the actors Uma Thurman and Josh Hartnett. This is good news; the assistance is badly needed. Yet the mismatch in timing rises a question that bedevils aid agencies.【M7】______ Like earthquakes or hurricanes, droughts and food price increases【M8】______ take time to develop, and the resulting hunger crises are forecast well in advance. From water harvest to livestock support to cash【M9】______ assistance, there are a plenty of steps that have moderated the【M10】______ current crisis. Why werent they taken? 【M1】