Famine in Southern Africa: a quiet crisis at the top of the AU

Text by: Paulina Zidi Follow

The findings of the World Food Program (WFP) are clear: in 2020, nearly 45 million people are threatened by famine in southern Africa. When the continent's heads of state meet at the summit of the African Union in Ethiopia, it is an emergency that should call to question.

Publicity

“ The situation is extremely serious. The researcher at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Liesl Louw-Vandran, does not mince words to describe the current situation in southern Africa. Almost all countries in the region are affected, although for some the situation is even more urgent. According to figures released by WFP, on January 16, 45 million people are at risk of starvation. A " hunger crisis " which reaches proportions never seen before. In Zimbabwe, one in two people is considered to be severely food insecure.

The alarm signals are drawn, the findings are raised, yet the humanitarian crisis in southern Africa is far from occupying the top of the poster of the 33rd summit of the African Union. This weekend, the continent gathers its heads of state and government for its traditional annual assembly. And of the 46 official meetings announced on the agenda, none relate to the humanitarian crisis in southern Africa. With “Silence the arms” , the theme put forward for this meeting, conflicts will therefore take center stage, in particular the crisis in Libya.

“ Root of conflicts on the continent ”

Yet, for Lesl Louw-Vaudran, these humanitarian crimes necessarily have a direct impact on conflicts: “ All heads of state are aware that these humanitarian situations are one of the roots of conflicts on the continent and one of the root causes of poverty. This leads people to join armed groups. "

Pointed out as the main reason for this crisis: climate change. This is particularly notable in southern Africa. According to the WFP, temperatures in the region are increasing at a rate twice as high as that observed on the rest of the planet. " The cyclone season has started, we cannot afford the repetition of the damage from last year ," warns Lola Castro, the head of WFP, referring in particular to Cyclone Idai which, in March 2019 , made numerous victims in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

" We cannot talk about food security in Africa without talking about climate change ," said Palamagamba John Kabudi, head of Tanzanian diplomacy, a member of SADC, the regional organization in southern Africa. This is the crucial moment to realize that climate change is a huge problem. It is no longer possible to deny it. It affects Africa. As we speak there, there are floods, cyclones, drought. We must adopt measures to limit this climate change in order to ensure food security in Africa. Because there will not be enough food to feed all of our populations. "

The immense economic impact

But he half admits that not all the countries of the organization share this urgency: “ Most African countries realize the urgency of the situation. [But] there are some who do not realize. These are up to us to convince them. It should be one of the priorities of our agenda during our deliberations. And if the issue of climate change should give rise to a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the summit, the AU has not changed its agenda and the speeches preceding the meeting did not mention this hunger crisis .

However, Lesl Louw-Vaudran repeats, the economic impact is enormous: “ Zimbabwe produced half the volumes of corn in 2019 compared to 2018. It gives an idea of ​​the problem. For a country like Namibia, the impact of drought can be found even during the elections in November. For example, the Swapo [People's Organization of South West Africa, party in power in the country, note] saw its popularity drop. It impacts the economy and politics. "

And for the Tanzanian minister, the request is clear: “ We need the financial support of other organizations. We need partners and expertise in agriculture and climate change. Money, the nerve of war that is difficult to mobilize despite this humanitarian crisis. Last January, WFP said it had received only $ 205 million of the $ 489 million needed to help the region.

FMM Graphic Studio

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Download the app

• Zimbabwe
• Tanzania
• mozambique
• Malawi
• South Africa
• Lesotho
• Namibia
• angola
• Food
• Humanitarian

On the same subject

Southern africa

Southern Africa: 45 million people at risk of famine

South Africa

Southern Africa is also preparing for the trade consequences of Brexit

Mozambique / Natural Disasters

After Idai and Kenneth, still the humanitarian emergency in southern Africa