The worst drought in a century is affecting over 27 million people in Southern Africa, with 21 million children malnourished. Countries like Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have declared national disasters as the drought devastates crops and livestock. The crisis, driven by climate change and El Niño, is expected to worsen until next year’s harvests, necessitating urgent humanitarian aid.
Southern Africa is currently experiencing the gravest drought in a century, impacting over 27 million individuals, including 21 million children who are now facing malnutrition, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). The United Nations has issued warnings regarding a potential humanitarian disaster as a result of this extensive drought, which has caused significant destruction to crops and livestock across several countries including Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, all of which have declared a national disaster. Angola and Mozambique are suffering severe effects as well, with expectations that the crisis will worsen until the next harvests, scheduled for March or April of the following year. Tomson Phiri, a spokesperson for the WFP, remarked, “A historic drought – the worst food crisis yet – has devastated more than 27 million lives across the region. Some 21 million children are malnourished.” As October signifies the commencement of the lean season in Southern Africa, it is anticipated that conditions will deteriorate monthly until the subsequent harvests. The drought has been exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, which led to below-average rainfall, coupled with climate change-induced rising temperatures. This calamity was characterized earlier this year by UN officials as unprecedented in severity, with substantial crop losses reported in Zambia and Zimbabwe, where up to 80 percent of the harvest has been eliminated. This reduction in rainfall has additionally diminished hydropower production in the region, resulting in significant electricity shortages. Authorities in Namibia and Zimbabwe have also resorted to culling wildlife, including elephants, to address food shortages among the population. With sub-Saharan Africa being highly susceptible to climate change due to its reliance on rain-fed agriculture, millions of livelihoods are now at substantial risk. Experts indicate that the adverse effects of climate change on weather patterns are adversely affecting agricultural yields, crop flavors, and harvest times in the region.
The ongoing drought in Southern Africa represents a culmination of climatic and environmental challenges that have intensified over recent years. The region’s reliance on rain-fed agriculture makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in weather patterns caused by climate change. This situation has led to increased difficulties in food production and access, contributing to widespread malnutrition and food insecurity. The El Niño phenomenon has been a significant factor in precipitating below-average rainfall, compounded by rising global temperatures. As the crisis unfolds, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, prompting national emergencies and calls for urgent international aid.
In summary, the severe drought currently afflicting Southern Africa poses a grave humanitarian crisis affecting millions of individuals, particularly children. With national disasters declared in several countries and food production severely disrupted, there is an urgent need for international assistance and intervention. The combination of climatic changes, ineffective rainfall, and the effects of El Niño have collectively exacerbated an already precarious situation, making the region highly susceptible to further crises unless decisive action is taken.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
