Due to drought, state of natural disaster declared in large part of Malawi
President Lazarus Chakwera declared a state of natural disaster in 23 of Malawi's 28 districts on Saturday evening during a televised address. The country has been facing insufficient rains for several weeks and therefore significant periods of drought which have had a significant impact on crops.
A young man stands among stationary motorless boats that remain idle in the port of Chisi Island in Lake Chilwa, in Zomba district, eastern Malawi, on October 18, 2018. AFP - AMOS GUMULIRA
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Nearly two million farming households have been affected and 749,113 hectares of maize, almost half of the nationally cultivated area, have been damaged by the drought, Malawi President
Lazarus
Chakwera
said
.
And the concern remains, because this observation could worsen as the austral summer ends. In addition, the outlook for agricultural production is at its lowest, according to a government study.
To respond to the seriousness of the situation, the president appeals to the private sector, the diaspora and international partners. Some 600,000 tonnes of maize, worth $200 million, would be needed to help the populations of the affected districts.
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Neighboring Zambia
declared a state of national disaster at the end of February
.
The country's food security is in danger. Zimbabwe
is also mobilized against famines
.
According to the UN, more than 13 million people in southern Africa already lack food.
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