President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe has announced a national disaster status to address the ongoing drought crisis in the country.
The declaration comes as Zimbabwe faces a severe maize crop failure caused by low rainfall, requiring an estimated $2 billion to combat hunger affecting approximately 2.7 million people.
The drought situation in Zimbabwe is part of a broader regional issue, with neighbouring countries like Zambia and Malawi also declaring states of disaster due to the drought.
There are concerns that this drought could be one of the worst in decades, impacting millions across southern Africa.
The World Food Programme has highlighted that 13.6 million people in the region are currently facing crisis levels of food insecurity.
President Mnangagwa emphasized the urgent need to secure food for all Zimbabweans and prevent hunger-related deaths.
Zimbabwe’s challenges extend beyond food security, with high inflation driven by rising food prices.
The country is now seeking maize imports from the international market to address the grain shortage exacerbated by the drought.
Furthermore, the lack of rainfall has impacted electricity production, as Zimbabwe relies heavily on hydroelectric power.
This situation underscores the multifaceted consequences of the prolonged drought on various sectors of the economy.
While not all droughts can be attributed solely to climate change, the increasing frequency and severity of dry spells are indicative of climate-related challenges.
Excess heat in the atmosphere exacerbates drought conditions, highlighting the need for global action to mitigate climate change and its impacts.
Source-BBC
