Southern Africa is grappling with the severe effects of an El Nino-induced drought, which has led to significant food shortages and impacted agricultural and livestock production across the region. According to the Southern African Development Community (SADC), around 68 million people, or 17 percent of the region’s population, are currently in need of assistance due to the drought.
The late onset of rains during the 2024 rainy season has exacerbated the situation, further challenging efforts to secure food and water resources.
Elias Magosi, the executive secretary of SADC, emphasized the gravity of the crisis as heads of state from the 16-nation bloc met in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, to address food security and other regional issues. Countries such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia have been hit particularly hard, with many people suffering from malnutrition due to the ongoing drought.
The situation is dire, with crops failing, and regional leaders are now focusing on securing funding and food aid to help alleviate the crisis.
Southern Africa Faces Severe Food Crisis as El Niño-Induced Drought Impacts MillionsThe United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has also raised alarms about the deteriorating conditions caused by the drought, particularly in rural areas where communities are facing unprecedented hardships.
Many of these communities have reported that they have never experienced anything like the current drought, and they are deeply concerned about their future. The drought, which began in early 2024, has severely impacted crop yields, leaving millions of people without sufficient food supplies.
The UN highlighted that February 2024 was the driest in Southern Africa in over a century, with the region receiving only 20 percent of its usual rainfall. In addition to the drought, temperatures have been significantly higher than average, exacerbating the impact on agriculture and food production.
This extreme weather event is part of a broader trend of worsening climate conditions linked to global climate change, which is placing increasing strain on vulnerable populations.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently pointed out that extreme heat, fueled by climate change, is causing widespread damage to economies, increasing inequalities, and undermining global efforts to achieve sustainable development goals.
He warned that such extreme weather events, including droughts, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, are becoming the “new abnormal” as the effects of climate change continue to intensify worldwide. This underscores the urgent need for global action to address the root causes of the climate crisis.