Thousands of millions of people in Southern Africa are suffering from the effects of a drought caused by El NiƱo, warns a regional bloc. This drought has led to declines in agricultural and livestock production, creating food shortages in several countries. Elias Magosi, the director of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), stated on Saturday that 17 percent of the region’s populationāaround 68 million peopleāare in need of assistance.
āThe rainy season of 2024 has been a challenging period, as most of the region is experiencing negative effects from the El NiƱo phenomenon, characterized by delayed rainfall,ā Magosi said. These statements come as the leaders of the 16 SADC member countries meet in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, to discuss regional issues, including food security. Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia are among the most affected countries, where malnutrition caused by the drought, which began in early 2024, has become a serious problem.
According to Al Jazeeraās reporter in Harare, Haru Mutasa, it is likely that the SADC leaders will discuss how to secure more funding and food assistance for the impacted countries. āCrops are dying, itās a significant problem,ā said Mutasa.
In early June, the United Nations World Food Programme highlighted the severe impacts of the drought, particularly on communities that are already vulnerable to food shortages. āThe rural areas we have encountered on the ground tell us they’ve never seen anything like this. They are extremely concerned about their future,ā said Reena Ghelani, the UNās climate crisis coordinator for the El NiƱo response.
According to the UN, Southern Africa has experienced its driest February in 100 years, with only 20 percent of the usual rainfall. Temperatures have also been several degrees above average. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked late last month that extreme heat caused by the climate crisis āis increasingly pushing through economies, widening inequalities, undermining sustainable development goals, and costing lives.ā āWe know what drives it: fossil fuel-driven, human-caused climate change. And we know it will get worse; extreme heat is the new normal,ā he added.
Experts have warned that as the effects of climate change intensify, weather patterns are becoming more extreme, with droughts, severe hurricanes, floods, and wildfires impacting large portions of the globe.