KEY POINTS
- Millions face the worst food crisis in southern Africa in decades.
- WFP needs more funding to provide emergency aid to 6.5 million people.
- Drought and malnutrition have left 21 million children at risk.
The World Food Programme (WFP) warned that significant budget gaps seriously endanger its capacity to provide vital relief, stating that millions of people in southern Africa are experiencing the worst food crisis in decades.
Drought devastates southern Africa, five countries declare disasters
According to a report by Reuters, Five countries—Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—have declared states of disaster and made an urgent plea for international humanitarian aid as a result of the region’s unprecedented drought conditions. Due to the drought, agricultural productivity has been severely damaged, leaving many households without enough food. According to a U.N. agency assessment, Angola and Mozambique are also badly impacted, with almost 21 million children in the region suffering from malnutrition.
“At a press briefing in Geneva, WFP spokesperson Tomson Phiri stated, ‘Unless we receive additional resources, millions of people risk enduring the worst lean season in decades without any assistance.'” This year’s lean season—the interval between harvests—is predicted to be especially hard since many communities won’t be able to raise enough crops due to the consequences of the drought.
Millions risk severe hunger without international support
*In the seven most severely affected nations, the World Food Programme (WFP) is trying to feed almost 6.5 million people with food and, in certain cases, financial support. The goal of this emergency aid is to help households have enough to eat while they wait for better agricultural circumstances. It will last until the next harvest in March. The organisation stressed that in the absence of such initiatives, hunger will only get worse, particularly in the most disadvantaged areas.
The WFP reported that, in spite of the severity of the situation, it has only obtained roughly 20% of the $369 million required to provide this vital aid. In order to guarantee that millions of people receive the critical care they require, the organisation has made an urgent appeal to the global community to assist in closing the funding gap.
