Zimbabwe Declares El Niño Drought National Disaster

Zimbabwe has officially declared a national disaster due to the severe drought caused by the El Niño climate event. President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced the declaration, stressing the urgent need for assistance to alleviate the suffering of millions facing hunger. The country is estimated to require over $2 billion in aid to address the crisis effectively.

The drought, attributed to the El Niño weather pattern, has devastated southern Africa, impacting food security and electricity production. Zimbabwe joins Malawi and Zambia in declaring a national disaster, allowing the government to access additional resources to tackle the crisis.

More than 2.7 million Zimbabweans are projected to face food shortages this year due to poor rains, with the country’s grain harvest expected to cover only half of the required cereals. The situation is exacerbated by the El Niño-induced climate conditions, which have resulted in increased temperatures globally.

The World Meteorological Organisation has identified the current El Niño as one of the five strongest on record, with its impact expected to persist due to greenhouse gas emissions trapping heat in the atmosphere. The reduced rainfall during the southern hemisphere summer has heightened the risk of food insecurity in major agricultural regions.

Efforts to mobilise resources and develop response plans are underway, with the crisis having far-reaching consequences across various sectors. The drought has led to the use of unsafe water sources, contributing to cholera outbreaks in several southern African countries. Additionally, the forecast of heavy rains and flooding poses further challenges, including the risk of malaria and other diseases.

Zimbabwe’s reliance on hydroelectric power has also been affected, highlighting the multifaceted impact of the drought. Importing maize from neighbouring countries like South Africa has become necessary, but it poses challenges such as food price increases, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations already struggling to afford basic necessities.

Despite the challenges, efforts are being made to mitigate the impact of the drought and provide relief to those in need.