Extreme Weather and Conflict Ravage Southern and Eastern Africa, Threatening Millions Over 0.65 million people in southern and eastern Africa are facing unprecedented threats from a relentless combination of extreme weather and conflict. Extreme Weather The region has been battered by a series of extreme weather events, including severe droughts, floods, and tropical cyclones. These events have devastated crops, destroyed homes, and disrupted essential services. In Madagascar, a drought has caused the worst food crisis in decades, while in Mozambique, a cyclone destroyed thousands of homes and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Conflict The situation is further exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in several countries, including South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ethiopia. These conflicts have displaced millions of people, cutting them off from essential services and livelihoods. They have also disrupted food supplies and created a climate of fear and insecurity. Humanitarian Crisis The combined impact of extreme weather and conflict has created a humanitarian crisis in the region. Millions of people are in need of food, water, shelter, and medical attention. Many are living in overcrowded camps or informal settlements, with limited access to basic necessities. Call for Urgent Action Humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent international assistance to address the crisis. They are providing food, water, shelter, and other essential services to those in need. However, much more is needed to prevent further suffering and loss of life. Long-Term Solutions While providing immediate relief is crucial, it is equally important to address the root causes of the crisis. This includes investing in climate adaptation and mitigation measures, as well as promoting peace and stability in the region. The international community must work together to support southern and eastern Africa as it faces these unprecedented threats. By providing humanitarian assistance, investing in long-term solutions, and promoting peace and security, we can help the people of this region rebuild their lives and create a more sustainable future.

Up to 65 million people in more than a dozen countries in southern and eastern Africa, from Mozambique to Ethiopia, face unprecedented challenges to food security, extreme weather events and conflict, UN officials say.

Up to 65 million people in more than a dozen countries in southern and eastern Africa, from Mozambique to Ethiopia, face unprecedented challenges to food security, extreme weather events and conflict, UN officials say.

Crises disproportionately affect women, who are already more vulnerable due to their gender, said Lydia Zigomo, regional director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Geneva. Press conference Tuesday. As they “find themselves displaced away from family planning clinics and national health care, the risk of violence skyrockets and unwanted pregnancies become a harsh reality,” Zigomo said.

El Niño caused floods and the worst drought in 40 years

In a region that is no longer immune to adversity, eight countries have been exceptionally affected by the recent El Niño season, which caused droughts of more than 50 days in most places, marking this period as the driest in 40 years, he noted.++.

These include Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The current El Niño season caused a drought that lasted more than 50 days in most countries in the region, marking this period as the driest in the last 40 years.

But El Niño also caused historic flooding, he said. Liesbeth Aelbrecht, WHO incident manager for the Greater Horn of Africa during the same Press conference. After a four-year drought, the Horn of Africa region was hit by torrential rains and floods that affected around 1.6 million people worldwide. Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Tanzania.+

Floods also have a significant health cost, from direct effects such as injuries and infections to cholera outbreaks as a result of water contamination or long-term impacts on mental health. New cholera outbreaks have been reported in Kenya and Uganda, along with an increase in cases in other countries. Floods are also a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which in turn exacerbates the risks of malaria, dengue or Rift Valley fever.

Gender violence stalks Ethiopia

In northern Ethiopia, the number of people at risk of gender-based violence has risen to 7.2 million, up from 6.7 million in 2023. The recent conflict in the Tigray region has left only 3% of its healthcare facilities fully operational in 2022, which is still affecting the local health system, Zigomo said.

The UNFPA response network includes mobile clinics staffed by midwives and health professionals who provide reproductive health services in remote areas, as well as services for those experiencing gender-based violence, including HIV testing, family planning and psychosocial support.

Zigomo called for more funds to secure those operations, which otherwise would have been cut in half or more by the end of the year. So far, UNFPA has reached only about 20% of its global fundraising target of $1.2 billion by 2024, Zigomo said, adding that the global community should consider this not only as a plea for help, but also as an opportunity to “change course” and guarantee the protection of reproductive health, as well as adequate prevention of gender violence.

“ResilienceExtreme Weather and Conflict Threaten Millions in Southern and Eastern Africa Over 65 million people in southern and eastern Africa are facing an unprecedented crisis due to the combined effects of extreme weather and conflict. Heavy rains and flooding have devastated crops, destroyed homes, and displaced communities in countries like Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique. In Mozambique alone, heavy rainfall has affected nearly 1 million people and caused widespread damage to infrastructure. At the same time, armed conflict in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Somalia has further exacerbated the situation, disrupting food supplies and displacing millions more people. The United Nations has warned that the region is facing a “perfect storm” of humanitarian crises. The combination of extreme weather and conflict has created a situation where millions of people are at risk of starvation, disease, and displacement. Aid agencies are struggling to respond to the growing crisis. The United Nations has appealed for $2 billion in emergency aid to help those affected. However, it is unclear whether this will be enough to address the massive scale of the challenges facing the region. Experts warn that the long-term consequences of this crisis could be devastating. The destruction of crops and infrastructure could have a severe impact on food security and economic development. Widespread displacement and conflict could destabilize the region and lead to further humanitarian suffering. Urgent action is needed to address the threats facing southern and eastern Africa. Governments, aid agencies, and international organizations must work together to provide immediate assistance to those in need and to address the root causes of the crisis, including climate change and conflict.