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Almost 68 million struggling with drought in Southern Africa, says regional bloc

About 68 million people in Southern Africa are suffering the results of an El Ninoinduced drought which has actually erased crops throughout the area, the local bloc SADC said on Saturday.

The dry spell, which began in early 2024, has actually hit crop and animals production, causing food lacks and damaging the larger economies.

Presidents from the 16-nation Southern African Advancement Neighborhood (SADC) were satisfying in Zimbabwe's capital Harare to discuss local problems including food security.

Some 68 million individuals, or 17% of the region's. population, are in need of aid, stated Elias Magosi, SADC. executive secretary.

The 2024 rainy season has been a tough one with the majority of. parts of the region experiencing unfavorable impacts of the El Nino. phenomenon characterised by the late start of rains, he stated.

It is Southern Africa's worst drought in years, owing to a. mix of naturally happening El Nino - when an abnormal. warming of the waters in the eastern Pacific changes world. weather patterns - and higher average temperatures produced by. greenhouse gas emissions.

Nations consisting of Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi have. already declared the hunger crisis a state of disaster, while. Lesotho and Namibia have called for humanitarian assistance.

The area released an appeal in May for $5.5 billion in. humanitarian help to support the dry spell reaction, however. contributions have not been forthcoming, stated outgoing SADC chair. Joao Lourenco, President of Angola.

The quantity mobilised up until now is sadly listed below the. estimated amounts and I want to restate this appeal to. regional and global partners to enhance their efforts ... to assist our individuals who have actually been affected by El Nino, he informed. the top.

The dry spell is a significant talking point at this year's summit,. together with issues such as the continuous dispute in eastern. Democratic Republic of Congo, which Lourenco said was a source. of excellent concern.

(source: Reuters)