Tuesday, January 19, 2016

14 Million People in Southern Africa Face Hunger Due to Drought

United Nations Deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said the World Food Program (WFP) estimated that about 14 million people in southern Africa are facing hunger due to the prolonged drought which led to a poor harvest in 2015.

The WFP said the El Niño weather phenomenon is worsening the dry spell throughout the region and is already affecting this year's crop. Haq added that the number of people facing hunger could significantly rise in the coming months as the region moves deeper into the 'lean season'.

The hardest-hit countries last year are Madagascar, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Last month, Lesotho declared a drought emergency as 33 percent of its population does not have ample food supply. The WFP also raised concern for the situations in Angola, Swaziland and Mozambique.
El Niño dried up rainfall across southern Africa last year. 

Crops were lost and hydropower production was disrupted. 

South Africa used to be an exporter of grain but the severe drought forced it to import 5 to 6 million tons of maize.
 ubalert.com
19/1/16

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