The El Niño weather phenomenon has caused months of drought in Southern Africa, devastating more than 27 million people and resulting in the region’s worst hunger crisis in decades, according to the United Nations’ food agency.
The World Food Program (WFP) has warned of a potential “full-scale human catastrophe,” with five countries—Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—declaring national disasters due to drought and food shortages. An estimated 21 million children in the region are malnourished as crops fail.
Tens of millions rely on rain-fed agriculture for food and income. The drought, worsened by climate change, has led to below-average rainfall and raised concerns of disaster, as expressed by aid agencies last year.
“This is the worst food crisis in decades,” said WFP spokesperson Tomson Phiri. “October marks the beginning of the lean season, with each month expected to worsen until next year’s harvest in March and April. Crops have failed, livestock have perished, and many children receive just one meal a day.”
The affected countries are urgently seeking international aid. Angola and Mozambique are also severely impacted, highlighting the widespread nature of the drought.
Phiri noted that the WFP requires approximately $369 million for immediate assistance but has received only a fifth of this amount due to a shortfall in donations. The WFP has begun food assistance and critical support in response to government requests.
As the crisis escalates, southern Africa’s needs coincide with soaring global humanitarian demands, including urgent requirements in Gaza and Sudan.
USAID reported in June that the current drought is the worst in 100 years, devastating crops and food supplies for millions. El Niño, which affects global weather patterns, has been linked to extreme weather, including heatwaves and droughts.
Food prices have soared in drought-affected areas, exacerbating hardship. Zambia has faced severe electricity shortages due to low water levels at the Kariba Dam, leading to extended power outages, while authorities in Namibia and Zimbabwe have resorted to culling wildlife to provide meat for the hungry.
Experts warn that sub-Saharan Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change, relying heavily on rain-fed agriculture and natural resources, leaving millions at risk.
