A devastating drought is gripping Southern Africa, impacting nearly 68 million people across the region.
Exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon and climate change, this drought is one of the most severe in decades, with some countries experiencing the driest mid-season spell in over 100 years.
The drought has had a catastrophic impact on agriculture and food security. Crop failures and livestock losses have led to significant food shortages, with millions facing the threat of starvation.
In Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia, among other countries, malnutrition rates have soared due to the drought, which began in early 2024.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has warned that the drought is affecting 17 percent of the region’s population, or approximately 68 million people.
Elias Magosi, executive secretary of the SADC, said that the region’s leaders are discussing how to get more funding and food aid to affected countries.
In early June, the United Nations World Food Programme highlighted the dire effects of the drought, particularly on communities already vulnerable to food shortages. “Rural communities we have met on the ground tell us they have never seen anything like this. “They are extremely worried about their future,” said Reena Ghelani, the UN climate crisis coordinator for the El Niño response.