Southern Africa Drought

Southern Africa is grappling with an unprecedented drought triggered by El Niño, a recurring climate phenomenon known for its capacity to exacerbate either dry or stormy weather patterns. 

Prolonged dry spells at critical moments of the 2023/2024 planting season resulted in widespread crop failure and livestock losses, in a region where 70 percent of the population relies on agriculture. 

While the current El Niño cycle has come to an end, the consequences will be felt for months to come, with the hunger crisis likely to worsen and persist until the next harvest season (April/May 2025). Five countries in the region have already declared national drought disasters: Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Mozambique and Angola are also severely affected.

The crisis is expected to lead to a significant regional food deficit, requiring the import of an estimated 3 million tons of maize. It is also likely to further deepen already high rates of chronic malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies - a factor associated with poor quality diets and public-health conditions.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is coordinating its response with the Southern African Development Community, national governments and a wide range of partners, to reach the most affected communities with the limited resources available and help avert loss of life and livelihoods.

WFP needs US$369 million to provide food and cash assistance to over 6.5 million people across the region, up to March 2025.