Nearly 16 million people are threatened by starvation in southern Africa, due to the drought caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon, the World Food Programme (WFP) warns.
The number of people who are threatened by starvation could climb to 50 million and the need for food aid from the outside world is large.
– El Niño may be about to become a regional disaster that requires coordinated efforts, WFP concludes in a new report.
In January, 14 million people were threatened by famine in southern Africa, but the number is rising, says WFP.
On top of the 16 million threatened with starvation, WFP is also concerned about 2.7 million households in South Africa who, according to the country’s president Jacob Zuma are threatened by drought.
South Africa , the region’s biggest food manufacturer, experienced its driest year ever in 2015, and this took its toll on the corn crops and resulted in a doubling of corn price.
According to WFP there was less rain between October last year and January this year in southern Africa than in 35 years, and this will affect food production dramatically since it is during this period the corn and grain will be planted.
The drought is also hard out over the pastures which have caused many animals to succumb.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today