News in Brief:
– Southern Africa is grappling with a devastating drought caused by El Niño and climate change.
– Lack of rain has caused widespread crop failure, threatening millions with hunger and straining vital water resources like the Zambezi River.
Southern Africa is facing a crippling drought fueled by the El Niño weather pattern and the long-term effects of climate change, according to a recent news report.
The region, stretching from Angola in the west to Mozambique in the east, has endured a delayed rainy season and persistently low rainfall. This has caused widespread crop failure, while straining vital waterways like the Zambezi River.
Also, the situation is particularly alarming as millions are already at risk of hunger. The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) reports that a vast area encompassing Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana has experienced its driest February in decades. This lack of rain during a critical crop growth period has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, including poverty and dependence on rain-fed agriculture.
Experts warn of a potential food emergency as millions face hunger across the region. The WFP estimates that nine million people in Malawi and over six million in Zambia are already severely impacted. Both countries declared states of emergency last month, and Zimbabwe is likely to follow suit with an estimated 2.7 million people facing food insecurity.
Expected impact and consequences
The drought’s consequences extend beyond food shortages. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema stated that nearly half of the country’s staple corn crop has been destroyed. In Zimbabwe’s notoriously dry Mangwe region, even drought-resistant crops have succumbed to the scorching temperatures and arid conditions.
Furthermore, water shortages pose a significant health risk. David Gwapedza, a water resources researcher, warns that Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, could experience outbreaks of diseases like cholera due to water scarcity. The drought also threatens energy security, with the potential to deplete the Zambezi River and disrupt hydroelectric power generation in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Meantime, while droughts have various causes, scientists at World Weather Attribution believe climate change is significantly amplifying the severity of this event in Southern Africa. Sarah Champion, chair of the UK’s International Development Committee, noted the ‘disturbing evidence’ of increasingly frequent and intense droughts in the region. She highlighted the devastating consequences, including chronic food insecurity, malnutrition, and stunted child development.
Also, Champion highlighted the critical role of the UK’s Foreign and Development Office in promoting climate-smart agricultural practices. However, she warns that without accessible resources for small-scale farmers, the region faces a potential humanitarian crisis.
