Nearly 70 million people in southern Africa are facing the devastating effects of an El Niño-induced drought, resulting in widespread food shortages and hunger. Countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Namibia have declared the crisis a state of disaster and are calling for humanitarian support. In Malawi, almost half of the population, including many children, are in need of humanitarian assistance due to the worst midseason dry spell in over a century.
In one small farming village in southern Malawi, families are resorting to desperate measures such as eating grass seed after their crops withered due to the scorching heat. The drought has forced subsistence farmers like Masautso Mwale to find other dangerous ways to survive, such as cutting down trees to sell charcoal. This, in turn, contributes to deforestation, further exacerbating global warming.
The El Niño-induced drought began in early 2024, affecting crop and livestock production, causing food shortages, and damaging economies. Experts attribute the severity of the drought to late onset rains and the warming climate. The situation has led to an increase in tree cutting for food, as families struggle to feed themselves in the face of extreme hunger.
As the region grapples with the devastating effects of the drought, there is an urgent need for international aid and support to help alleviate the suffering of millions of people in southern Africa.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
