The Oxfam report reveals that water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, has led to a nearly 80% rise in hunger in Eastern and Southern Africa over the past five years, affecting over 55 million people. With almost 116 million lacking access to safe drinking water, urgent investment in water infrastructure and community support is essential.
The ongoing climate crisis has exacerbated water shortages in Eastern and Southern Africa, resulting in a significant rise in hunger. An Oxfam report reveals that over the past five years, the number of people experiencing severe hunger in eight countries has increased by nearly 80 percent, affecting more than 55 million individuals in 2024. Currently, almost 116 million people in these areas lack access to safe drinking water.
The report highlights that climate change has intensified extreme weather phenomena, including droughts and flash floods, leading to the depletion of groundwater and the disappearance of more than 90 percent of Africa’s tropical glaciers. These environmental changes have adversely impacted small-scale farmers and fishermen, leaving them devoid of basic food supplies and income.
Among the countries analyzed—Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—Ethiopia has seen a staggering 175 percent increase in food insecurity. In Kenya, the landscape has shifted dramatically, with over 136,000 square kilometers transitioning to drier conditions, impairing agricultural outputs. Furthermore, in Somalia, the disruptions caused by a single failed rainy season have thrust an additional one million people into acute hunger, totalling 4.4 million individuals.
The Oxfam report criticizes existing socio-economic disparities, where marginalized groups such as women and girls are disproportionately affected by water shortages. In countries like Ethiopia and Kenya, these individuals often travel extensive distances, up to 10 kilometers, to collect water, subjecting themselves to violence and fatigue.
Oxfam’s Africa Director, Fati N’Zi-Hassane, emphasizes the justice aspect of this crisis, stating that while vulnerable populations suffer the consequences of climate change, big polluters profit from it. It is imperative for African governments to significantly increase investments in water infrastructure to address this dire situation and provide support to the communities most impacted by climate variations.
In conclusion, the interplay between climate change and water scarcity has led to a humanitarian crisis in Eastern and Southern Africa, with millions suffering from hunger. The Oxfam report underscores the urgent need for increased investment in water systems and infrastructure to combat these challenges. It emphasizes the necessity for both global accountability from wealthier nations and local governmental action to protect the most vulnerable populations against the injustices of climate change.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
