Southern Africa faces its worst drought in a century, affecting over 27 million individuals, including 21 million malnourished children. Official national disaster declarations have been issued in several countries due to crop and livestock destruction. The situation is expected to worsen until the next harvest, with significant implications for food security and humanitarian needs. Climate change and environmental factors are exacerbating the crisis.
Southern Africa is currently grappling with its worst drought in a century, severely affecting over 27 million individuals, including 21 million malnourished children, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). Nations such as Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have officially declared national disasters due to the adverse effects of the drought, which has devastated crops and livestock. Angola and Mozambique are similarly impacted, with WFP cautioning that the humanitarian crisis may worsen until the next harvest, anticipated in March or April of the following year. “A historic drought – the worst food crisis yet – has devastated more than 27 million lives across the region,” stated WFP spokesperson Tomson Phiri. “Some 21 million children are malnourished.” October marks the onset of the lean season in Southern Africa, and forecasts predict that conditions will deteriorate monthly until the forthcoming harvest. Reports indicate that crop failures and livestock fatalities are rampant, with many children receiving only one meal per day. The region’s populations depend primarily on small-scale agriculture, heavily reliant on rainfall for sustenance and financial support for purchasing food. In prior months, aid organizations alerted to a looming crisis as the El Niño weather phenomenon triggered below-normal rainfall. This situation has been exacerbated by elevated temperatures associated with climate change. As noted earlier this year by a United Nations official, this drought is unprecedented in severity for the past hundred years, decimating approximately 70 percent of Zambia’s harvest and 80 percent of Zimbabwe’s harvest, according to Lola Castro, the acting regional director for southern Africa at WFP. Moreover, the deficiency in rainfall has significantly diminished hydropower capabilities, resulting in widespread electricity shortages. In response to diminishing resources, Namibia and Zimbabwe have instituted wildlife culls to provide necessary food supplies, resorting to the culling of elephants to assist those in dire need. Experts unanimously agree that sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the globe’s most vulnerable regions to climate alterations, primarily due to its heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture and natural resources. The livelihoods of millions are precariously linked to climatic conditions, while impoverished nations struggle to implement measures that would enhance climate resilience. Furthermore, the adverse effects of climate change, specifically droughts and erratic rainfall patterns, have been shown to negatively influence crop yields, development, flavor, and harvesting periods.
The article addresses the severe drought that Southern Africa is facing, which is characterized as the worst in a century. This climatic event has led to widespread food insecurity affecting millions across several countries in the region. Affected nations have declared states of national disaster, and the World Food Programme has brought attention to the staggering number of malnourished children amidst the crisis. The background delves into environmental factors, such as the El Niño phenomenon and climate change, that have exacerbated the situation, along with the socio-economic implications for communities relying heavily on agriculture.
In summary, the drought ravaging Southern Africa is a dire humanitarian crisis, impacting over 27 million lives and leading to widespread malnutrition, particularly among children. With a significant percentage of agricultural output lost due to climatic conditions and the reliance on rain-fed farming, the situation is anticipated to worsen until the next harvest. The region’s vulnerability to climate change necessitates urgent intervention and sustainable solutions to bolster climate resilience and support affected populations.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
