Because of the drought, a state of emergency has already been declared in five countries. In places, 70–80 percent of the crop has been lost.
The worst phase of the exceptional drought is just ahead in southern Africa, warns the UN food program WFP.
The drought that weakens agricultural production has affected the food supply of 27 million people, estimates the WFP’s representative for southern Africa Lola Castro. In Zambia, the drought has taken up to 70 percent and in Zimbabwe 80 percent of the harvest, says Castro.
According to some estimates, the current drought is the worst in a hundred years. In the background is the El Niño phenomenon, which warms the Pacific Ocean and thereby affects the entire planet.
A state of emergency has been declared by Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and most recently Lesotho two weeks ago. The UN organization predicts that Angola and Mozambique may also report food shortages in the near future.
The situation will be aggravated by the inter-harvest period, which is about to begin. According to the WFP, the next harvest will not be available until April 2025.
Sources: AFP