AFRICA

UN World Food Programme Seeks $400m To Address Southern Africa Hunger Crisis

The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Wednesday that it urgently needs $400 million to feed millions of people in Southern Africa, following a severe drought that has left parts of the region in crisis. The WFP stated that the funding is essential for the next six months to support drought relief efforts in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi, where an El Niño-induced drought caused harvests yo fall, impacting 4.8 million people.

El Niño, a weather phenomenon known for disrupting wind patterns and warming Pacific Ocean temperatures, has significantly reduced rain levels, adversely affecting crop yields across Southern Africa. “It’s fair to say this will probably be the biggest El Niño response we have ever done in Southern Africa,” WFP spokesperson Tomson Phiri said.

Approximately 70% of the Southern African population, which relies on rain-fed agriculture, saw their harvests decimated due to the lack of rains. Phiri noted that the WFP is also providing cash payouts to support hungry communities and is looking to buy grain from international markets to address the shortfall.

In August of last year, the WFP spent $14 million to assist communities in Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. However, successive droughts have depleted grain stocks, forcing countries like Zimbabwe to seek grain imports. Private millers in Zimbabwe are planning to import 1.4 million metric tonnes of maize from Brazil, Argentina, and other countries to combat hunger.

Melissa Enoch

Follow us on:

Melissa Enoch

Recent Posts

EU Closes Antitrust Investigation Into Apple’s App Store Rules After Complaint Withdrawal

EU regulators has closed a four-year investigation into Apple's App Store rules after the complainant…

1 min ago

IPOB Denounces Simon Ekpa As A ‘Destructive Agent’, Clarifies He Was Never A Member Of The Group

IPOB distanced itself from Simon Ekpa, calling him a “destructive agent” who infiltrated and destabilised…

1 hour ago

Biden Calls ICC’s Arrest Warrants For Netanyahu, Gallant ‘Outrageous’

Biden has condemned ICC's arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, calling them "outrageous" amid global…

1 hour ago

Chukwuma Ezeala: Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Won’t Guarantee Peace In Southeast, Government Must Identify His Disciples

Chukwuma Ezeala has said that despite Simon Ekpa’s arrest, identifying his disciples in Southeast Nigeria…

1 hour ago

Federal Government Reinstates Ikechebelu as Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK

The federal government has reinstated Professor Joseph Ikechebelu as acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, nullifying Professor…

4 hours ago

Court Of Appeal Nullifies Judgment Blocking Voter Register Release For Rivers LG Polls

Court of Appeal has overturned the Federal High Court ruling barring INEC from releasing voter…

4 hours ago