20 Mln People Face Drought in Africa

A new wave of drought has left millions facing hunger in southern African countries struggling due to extreme weather, which scientists say has become more frequent and severe.

Zambia and Malawi have declared national disaster status due to the drought, and Zimbabwe may soon follow suit. In a food distribution site deep in rural Zimbabwe, relief teams recently provided aid to around 2,000 people.

Approximately 20 million people need assistance in the region as a whole, with many simply unable to access it.

UNICEF estimates that about 9 million people - half of them children - need assistance in Malawi, and over 6 million people in Zambia - including 3 million children - have been affected by the drought.

In this context, Eva Kadilli, UNICEF's regional director, stated, "It is unfortunate that extreme weather is expected to become the norm in East and Southern Africa in the coming years."

Francesca Erdelmann, the country director for the World Food Programme in Zimbabwe, said last year's harvest was poor, but this season is worse, she said, adding, "This is not normal circumstances."

The southern African region is experiencing severe drought conditions, leading to food insecurity and hunger for millions of people.

Countries like Zambia, Malawi, and possibly Zimbabwe have declared national disaster status due to the impact of the drought.

Organizations like UNICEF and the World Food Programme are actively involved in providing aid and assistance to those affected by the crisis.

Climate scientists warn that extreme weather events, including droughts, are becoming more frequent and severe in the region, posing significant challenges to food security and livelihoods.