In Southern Africa, desertification is affecting nearly 68 million individuals, according to a regional bloc

According to the regional bloc SADC, approximately 68 million individuals in Southern Africa are currently experiencing the consequences of an El Nino-induced drought that has resulted in the destruction of agriculture throughout the region.

Crop and livestock production have been adversely affected by the drought, which commenced in early 2024, resulting in food shortages and further damage to the broader economies.

Heads of state from the 16-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened in Harare, Zimbabwe, to deliberate on regional concerns, including food security.

Elias Magosi, the executive secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), stated that approximately 68 million individuals, or 17% of the region’s population, require assistance.

“The 2024 rainy season has been a challenging one with most parts of the region experiencing negative effects of the El Nino phenomenon characterized by the late onset of rains,” said the official.

The most severe drought in years has affected Southern Africa. This drought is the result of a combination of natural El Nino events, which occur when the waters in the eastern Pacific warm abnormally, which alters global weather patterns, and the increased average temperatures that are caused by greenhouse gas emissions.

Countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi have already declared the starvation crisis a state of calamity, and Lesotho and Namibia have requested humanitarian assistance.

The drought response was the subject of a $5.5 billion humanitarian assistance appeal launched by the region in May. However, donations have not been forthcoming, according to Joao Lourenco, the President of Angola, who is the outgoing SADC chair.

“The amount mobilized so far is unfortunately below the estimated amounts and I would like to reiterate this appeal to regional and international partners to redouble their efforts… to help our people who have been affected by El Nino,” he stated at the summit.

In addition to the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which Lourenco expressed as a significant concern, the drought is a significant topic of discussion at this year’s summit.