The severe drought across Southern Africa, driven by the 2023/2024 El Niño event, is significantly impacting food security and public health, with approximately 23 million people facing acute food insecurity. Major countries affected include Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, while millions of children are suffering from malnutrition. The crisis is compounded by water scarcity and ongoing epidemics, necessitating urgent humanitarian assistance.
The ongoing drought crisis in Southern Africa, attributed to the 2023/2024 El Niño phenomenon, has emerged as one of the most severe climatic events in the region in four decades. Characterized by delayed rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and extreme heat, this crisis has devastated agriculture and severely impacted food security. According to estimates, approximately 23 million individuals are currently facing acute food insecurity, with Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique being the most affected nations. In particular, the drought has caused significant economic instability with agricultural yields falling well below the five-year average. National drought disasters have been declared in six countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Furthermore, Angola and Mozambique are additionally grappling with food insecurity, affecting around 1.8 million people in Angola and 3.3 million in Mozambique. The humanitarian situation is exacerbating as more than 2 million children are estimated to suffer from acute malnutrition, including over half a million facing severe wasting. The drought’s impact extends beyond food shortages to critical water scarcity and the emergence of diseases, including cholera and measles, which threaten public health, especially in already vulnerable communities. Moreover, the compounded crises of drought and ongoing cholera outbreaks pose considerable challenges to sanitation and hygiene efforts. The health systems in these regions have suffered significant disruptions due to the pressures exerted by El Niño, which may detrimentally affect essential health services, including those vital for sexual and reproductive health. Compounding these issues, an estimated one million individuals have been internally displaced due to the dual impacts of climate change and disasters.
The drought crisis in Southern Africa has been significantly influenced by the El Niño weather pattern, which has led to severe consequences for agricultural productivity and food security in the region. Following a prolonged period of dry conditions, farmers have faced challenges that include failed crop yields and water shortages, elevating the risk of food insecurity across several southern African nations. With historically low maize harvests noted this year, and tens of millions facing crisis levels of food access, the situation has become dire and demands urgent humanitarian response. In addition, ongoing public health emergencies, such as cholera and new risks like mpox, highlight the interconnectedness of environmental stressors and health crises, further complicating the landscape of aid and recovery in the region.
The drought in Southern Africa, exacerbated by the 2023/2024 El Niño event, poses a multifaceted humanitarian crisis affecting millions through food insecurity, water scarcity, and health emergencies. Immediate interventions are critical to addressing the urgent needs of affected populations, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and those already facing health challenges. The intertwined nature of climate events and public health crises necessitates a coordinated and sustained response to improve resilience and prevent further deterioration of living conditions in Southern Africa.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
