The origin of this crisis is the El Niño climate phenomenon, which lasted until the beginning of the summer, causing a serious rainfall deficit in the region. This season, the lack of rain has been particularly pronounced, with catastrophic consequences for agriculture. The five countries concerned have already declared a state of natural disaster, but WFP does not expect an improvement in the coming months.
“The World Food Programme is appealing for help today,” says Tomson Phiri, WFP spokesperson for Southern Africa. He insists: “We must prevent this situation from becoming a regional humanitarian catastrophe.” WFP estimates that 27 million people are currently affected by the food crisis, including 21 million children who are malnourished. October marks the start of the lean season and, according to WFP, “each month will be worse than the last, until next spring.”
Africaconfidential.com
Harvests have been disastrous, livestock decimated. And in the worst-hit areas, children are lucky if they manage to get a meal a day. “The situation is catastrophic, we must act,” insists Tomson Phiri.
€350 million needed
To address this crisis, WFP estimates that €350 million in international aid is needed. To date, only 20% of this amount has been raised.
Faced with this situation, countries in the region are trying to respond with their own means. In Namibia, the authorities authorized, in early September, the slaughter of large wild animals, including elephants, to feed the population. This operation produced nearly 60 tons of meat, according to local authorities.