Elias Magosi, executive secretary of the SADC, reported that the ongoing El Nino-induced drought has left 17 percent of the region’s population, approximately 68 million people, in need of assistance. This situation has been exacerbated as crop and livestock production has plummeted, leading to severe food shortages across several Southern African nations. Countries such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia are particularly suffering from malnutrition linked to these adverse climate conditions.
The 2024 rainy season is proving difficult, as the region is experiencing notable adverse effects due to the late onset of rains characterized by the El Nino phenomenon. Various heads of state in the SADC region convened recently in Harare to address these pressing issues related to food security and the dire need for funding and food aid to the most affected nations.
According to the United Nations World Food Programme, rural communities are facing unprecedented challenges due to the ongoing drought. The extreme weather conditions have not only resulted in dwindling crop yields but have also raised significant concerns about future food availability for these already vulnerable populations, emphasizing the urgent need for international support.
The UN highlighted that Southern Africa faced its driest February in a century, recording only 20 percent of its usual rainfall. Compounding issues such as higher than average temperatures have exacerbated the conditions, illustrating the devastating impact of climate change that is making agricultural viability progressively challenging.
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