Millions face hunger as extreme drought hits southern Africa

In rural Zimbabwe, the severe drought caused by climate extremes has left 2.7 million people threatened with hunger. American aid agency USAID, in collaboration with the United Nations’ World Food Programme, has been providing food aid to those in need. The drought has affected not only Zimbabwe but also neighboring countries like Zambia and Malawi, leading to national disasters being declared in some areas. The situation is worsened by the impact of El Niño, which has resulted in below-average rainfall and drought conditions in southern Africa.

In Mangwe, a district in southwestern Zimbabwe, people line up for food aid, carrying whatever they receive in donkey carts or wheelbarrows. The region is normally reliant on crops like sorghum and pearl millet, but even these drought-resistant crops have failed to withstand the harsh conditions this year. The situation is dire for residents like Zanyiwe Ncube, who would typically be harvesting crops to feed her family but has been left with nothing due to the drought. The World Food Programme’s country director for Zimbabwe, Francesca Erdelmann, stated that this year’s harvest is even worse than the previous year.

The impact of extreme weather in eastern and southern Africa has left millions in need of assistance, with children being disproportionately affected. UNICEF estimates that 9 million people in Malawi and more than 6 million in Zambia require help due to the drought. The situation is expected to worsen in the coming years, as extreme weather becomes more frequent in the region. Traditional leader Joseph Nleya in Mangwe described the desperation caused by the drought, with water sources drying up and people resorting to illegal means to find food.

The impending disaster was forecasted by aid agencies last year, and now the situation has escalated to a critical point. With this year’s harvest a write-off, millions in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar will struggle to feed themselves well into 2025. The current need for food relief in southern Africa is estimated to be around 20 million people, but limited resources and cuts in humanitarian funding are hindering aid efforts. As aid agencies make their last distribution in Mangwe, individuals like Ncube are left worrying about how long the food aid will last and whether it will be enough to prevent malnutrition, especially in young children like her 7-month-old son.

Overall, the severe drought in southern Africa has left millions in need of food aid, with the situation worsened by climate extremes and natural phenomena like El Niño. The impact of the drought is felt deeply in rural communities like Mangwe, where residents are facing a dire lack of food and water. Aid agencies are struggling to meet the needs of those affected, and the situation is expected to deteriorate further in the coming years. The international community must come together to provide support and resources to mitigate the impact of the drought and prevent a humanitarian crisis in the region.