The Southern Africa drought, significantly worsened by the 2023/2024 El Niño event, has resulted in severe food shortages and health crises affecting almost 23 million people. Countries including Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique are highlighted as the most impacted, necessitating urgent humanitarian assistance. The drought has led to malnutrition in over 2 million children, compounded health risks from ongoing epidemics, and increased instances of displacement and crime related to these socio-economic pressures.
The ongoing drought conditions in Southern Africa have been exacerbated by the 2023/2024 El Niño event, which represents the most severe occurrence in the past four decades. This weather phenomenon has led to significant ramifications for local communities dealing with existing hardships arising from crop failures and adverse economic conditions. The drought has resulted in diminished maize outputs across the region, significantly below the five-year harvest averages, leading to severe food shortages, lack of access to clean drinking water, disease outbreaks, and livestock losses. Currently, nearly 23 million individuals are experiencing acute food insecurity, with Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique being the most severely impacted. It is projected that between 14.0 and 14.9 million people will require urgent humanitarian assistance during the imminent lean season from October to December 2024. As of now, six nations, including Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, have officially declared national drought disasters. The plight extends to Angola and Mozambique, where approximately 1.8 million citizens in Angola and 3.3 million in Mozambique are estimated to be food insecure. Moreover, the crises have escalated children’s malnutrition issues, with over two million children expected to be acutely malnourished this year, including more than 500,000 suffering from severe wasting. The ongoing drought has also reshaped the landscape of health disparities, displacing thousands, promoting outbreaks of disease, and exacerbating food scarcity. The situation is further complicated by the simultaneous cholera and measles epidemics, alongside emerging threats from mpox, which could potentially impede necessary resources for addressing drought effects. The drought has inflicted ruinous effects on hygiene and sanitation efforts, particularly where water supply remains compromised, allowing cholera outbreaks to loom in areas such as Malawi and Mozambique. Distressingly, the looming challenges of drought are also likely to heighten HIV and AIDS transmission risks, mental health concerns, and instances of gender-based violence, spotlighting an urgent call for improved preparedness and response mechanisms. The intersection of El Niño effects, epidemics, conflicts, and climate variability has placed immense strain on Southern Africa’s health infrastructure, obstructing access to crucial sexual and reproductive health services.
Southern Africa has been experiencing significant challenges due to a combination of adverse weather conditions brought on by the El Niño phenomenon, particularly during the 2023/2024 period. This climatic event has resulted in delayed rains and prolonged dry spells at a time when many communities were already facing precarious economic situations due to previous crop failures. These compounded difficulties have heightened food insecurity across the region, resulting in an urgent humanitarian crisis. The impacts of the drought extend beyond mere food shortages, affecting access to clean water and increasing susceptibility to disease outbreaks, all while straining health systems that are already burdened by public health challenges.
In conclusion, the drought occurring in Southern Africa as a result of the 2023/2024 El Niño event has precipitated a critical humanitarian crisis. Significant food insecurity affects millions, particularly vulnerable populations, such as children who face acute malnutrition. The ramifications of the drought extend to water scarcity and the potential for disease outbreaks amidst existing public health concerns. There is an urgent need for comprehensive preparedness and response strategies to mitigate the ongoing impact of this crisis on the affected communities, particularly in addressing food security, health needs, and the prevention of disease outbreaks.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
