Zimbabwe Declares Drought a National Disaster
Zimbabwe has officially declared a national disaster due to
a drought linked to El Niño, necessitating urgent action to address the looming
hunger crisis. With rains failing across 80% of the country, the upcoming grain
harvest is expected to fall significantly short of requirements.
Approximately 2.7 million rural Zimbabweans, constituting
about 20% of the population, are presently reliant on food aid. Moreover, urban
residents are grappling with soaring inflation, exacerbating food insecurity.
The World Food Programme has characterized the situation as
"dire," underlining the urgent need for assistance. This declaration
marks Zimbabwe as the third country in the region to acknowledge the severity
of the drought crisis.
Zambia raised the alarm in late February, followed by Malawi
in March. Southern Africa is mobilizing efforts to address the humanitarian
needs arising from the El Niño weather phenomenon, known to occur every three
to five years, resulting in drier conditions in some areas and wetter ones in
others.
In Malawi, millions continue to grapple with the aftermath
of consecutive climate-related disasters, worsening the plight of subsistence
farmers and straining the resources of the government.
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