Nearly 68 million people in southern Africa are suffering from the effects of an El Nino-triggered drought that has destroyed crops across the region, regional bloc SADC said on Saturday.
A drought that began in early 2024 has affected crop and livestock production, leading to food shortages and harming broader economies.
Heads of state and government of the 16-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) were meeting in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, to discuss regional issues including food security.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi said about 68 million people, or 17% of the region’s population, needed assistance.
“The 2024 rainy season will be challenging, as rainfall will start late in most parts of the region due to the El Niño effect,” he said.
It is the worst drought in southern Africa in years, caused by a combination of naturally occurring El Niño – when abnormally warm waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean alter the world’s weather patterns – and higher average temperatures caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
Countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi have already declared the hunger crisis a disaster, while Lesotho and Namibia have called for humanitarian aid.
Joao Lourenco, President of Angola and outgoing SADC chair, said the region appealed for $5.5 billion in humanitarian aid in May to tackle the drought but had yet to receive any donations.
“The amount raised so far is unfortunately less than anticipated and I would like to reiterate my call to regional and international partners to redouble their efforts… to help our people affected by El Niño,” he said at the summit.
Drought is a major discussion topic at this year’s summit, along with issues such as the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which Lourenco said is of great concern.
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