The worst drought in a century leaves 70 million people in food crisis in southern Africa

Notimerica

Lusaka.-The El Niño phenomenon has triggered a devastating drought affecting nearly 70 million people in southern Africa, causing severe food shortages and leading some families to consume grass seeds to survive, according to the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Zambia and Zimbabwe have declared the food crisis a national disaster, while Lesotho and Namibia have appealed for humanitarian support. The situation is particularly acute in Malawi, where nearly half of the population, estimated at 9 million people, is in need of humanitarian assistance, according to a UNICEF report, cited by NBC News. More than half of these people are children, affected by the worst mid-season drought in more than a century.

In the farming village of Jangiya in southern Malawi, the once fertile land is now completely dry and barren. Many families have taken to eating grass seeds from neighbouring fields after their crops failed in the scorching heat. In April, local media reported that 17 Malawians were hospitalised after consuming poisonous tubers due to desperate hunger.

Heads of state from the 16 SADC member countries, meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, discussed the drought that began in early 2024, affecting agricultural and livestock production, and causing economic chaos. Elias Magosi, SADC Executive Secretary, said the 2024 rainy season has been particularly challenging due to the El Niño phenomenon.

For subsistence farmers like Masautso Mwale, the drought has forced desperate measures to survive. After harvesting just two bags of maize – far from the usual 18 bags in a good year – Mwale is forced to cut down trees to sell charcoal. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says deforestation contributes to 10% of global warming, as the carbon stored in trees is released as carbon dioxide.

Mwale, though aware of the environmental damage, sells three bags of charcoal for about $3 each, enough to feed his family for a week. He and other farmers have warned that hunger will increase tree cutting this year. Even though El Niño ended in April with the cooling of the Pacific Ocean, the long-term impact of the poor harvest continues to affect the region until the next rainy season in October.

Climate change could be increasing the frequency and severity of these El Niño events, according to a 2023 study by Australia’s CSIRO. In addition, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that average rainfall will decrease and droughts will increase in southern Africa by 2050 with global warming of about 2 degrees Celsius.

An international appeal launched by the region in May to raise $5.5 billion in humanitarian assistance has not been as successful as hoped. João Lourenço, president of Angola and outgoing chair of SADC, said the funds mobilized so far were below the estimate and urged regional and international partners to redouble their efforts to help people affected by El Niño.Infobae.