Southern Africa Faces Severe Drought Crisis

Southern Africa is facing its worst food crisis in decades, with over 27 million people affected by a historic drought exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). Five countries—Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—have declared national disasters as 21 million children suffer from malnutrition due to failed crops and livestock losses. The WFP warns that the situation could escalate into a full-scale humanitarian crisis unless it secures $369 million in aid, of which it has only received a fraction. Concurrently, northern Nigeria is grappling with food insecurity worsened by climate change, impacting farmers like Mema Fwa and Rabiu Musa who have lost their yields. Meanwhile, Chad and neighboring countries are experiencing devastating floods, with over 1,460 fatalities reported due to heavy rains that have overwhelmed infrastructure. Experts predict that extreme weather events, including floods and droughts, will continue to rise in frequency and intensity across Africa, highlighting the urgent need for improved preparedness and response strategies.