El Niño Drought Worsens Food Crisis in Southern Africa

Clive Tatenda Makumbe in Zimbabwe

Harare – A devastating drought caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon has plunged Southern Africa into a food crisis, with Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe declaring national emergencies. Millions face hunger as parched fields yield little to no harvests, leaving governments and humanitarian agencies scrambling to provide relief.

Severe Impact Across the Region
El Niño, a natural climate cycle characterized by the warming of the Pacific Ocean, has exacerbated Southern Africa’s vulnerability to climate change. From Angola to Zimbabwe, critical staple crops like maize have failed, leaving once-productive fields barren. Livestock losses are mounting, and food prices have skyrocketed, further straining families’ access to nutrition.

Zimbabwe, already battling economic challenges, is among the hardest-hit countries. The drought has severely reduced maize yields, the country’s staple crop, threatening food security for millions. In rural areas, desperate farmers are abandoning their fields, while urban migration is rising as families search for work and sustenance.

Malawi and Zambia, key agricultural producers in the region, are also grappling with dire consequences. Nearly 9 million people in Malawi—almost half the population—are affected, with surging cases of malnutrition reported. Zambia, often considered a regional “breadbasket,” is struggling to meet domestic needs, let alone support neighboring countries.

Women and Girls Bear the Brunt
The crisis has placed a disproportionate burden on women and girls. As families run out of food, women are forced to trek long distances to collect firewood or search for food, exposing them to safety risks. Girls are often the first to be pulled out of school to assist with household survival, threatening long-term gender equality gains in the region.

Urgent Need for Assistance
The severity of the crisis has led to calls for international support. Southern African governments, recognizing the scale of the disaster, have appealed to global donors for assistance. Experts warn that failure to act quickly could trigger mass migration and deepen social and economic instability.

In Zimbabwe, the lean season has pushed vulnerable households to adopt negative coping mechanisms, such as skipping meals and selling essential assets. This echoes a broader regional trend, with families prioritizing children’s meals over their own.

Despite ongoing relief efforts, food shortages persist. Zimbabwe has resorted to importing grain, but logistical challenges, including congested ports and inadequate transport infrastructure, have slowed the process. Similar issues plague Malawi, where relief supplies are delayed, leaving many without adequate food during the critical lean season.

Building Resilience for the Future
While immediate relief is essential to save lives, experts emphasize the importance of long-term solutions to mitigate future crises. Investments in irrigation systems and climate-resilient agriculture are critical to reducing dependence on rain-fed farming.

In Zimbabwe, efforts to revive dormant irrigation schemes and train farmers on drought-resistant crops are gaining traction. However, funding gaps remain a significant barrier. Rural cooperatives are also being supported to enhance food production and diversify incomes, but these programs need scaling to meet the vast demand.

Regional Spillover Risks
The crisis in Southern Africa has far-reaching implications. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reliant on food imports from its neighbors, faces heightened food insecurity as supplies dwindle. Displaced populations in conflict zones, particularly in the DRC, may suffer disproportionately if neighboring countries cannot meet their own needs.

A Call for Urgent Action
Southern Africa’s food crisis demands swift action to avert a humanitarian catastrophe. Governments and humanitarian agencies are urging the international community to step up, with Zimbabwe’s representatives highlighting the regional nature of the crisis during recent UN meetings.

Experts warn that delayed action will only worsen the situation, with ripple effects threatening peace and stability across the region. While resilience programs and development initiatives remain critical, immediate relief must take precedence to prevent further loss of life and livelihoods.

“If we do not act now,” warned a Zimbabwean official, “the consequences will be catastrophic. This drought is not just a crisis—it is a wake-up call to rethink how we address food security in the face of climate change.”