Namibia: Food Production Severly Hit By Drought

[muriel_volestrangler]

Prolonged dry spells in Southern Africa have led to a food and water crisis in Namibia where the President has declared a national drought emergency.

Up to 331,000 people have been classified as food insecure which is 14% of the Namibian population as a result of the lowest seasonal rainfall since decades. The results of an Inter-Agency Emergency Food Security Assessment indicate that agricultural production will be very poor.

As it was the case in 2011 in the Horn of Africa, also this drought has the potential to result in a major disaster unless an early and effective response is initiated. The government of Namibia has allocated approximately two million USD to provide emergency food. However, besides the food crisis, the prolonged drought also has negative effects on potable water sources, employment, and triggers negative coping mechanisms.

The Lutheran World Federation/Department of World Service (LWF/DWS) together with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) carried out a five-day needs assessment. Based on the results of the assessment, and guided by humanitarian principles the eight-month appeal project will be implemented through ELCRN and ELCIN even in the difficult to reach & remote areas.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201307070137.html

Also - on the other side of the continent:

Africa food crisis: UK pledges £35m to Malawi and Zimbabwe

The UK is to provide £35m to Malawi and Zimbabwe to alleviate the "looming food crisis" in southern Africa.

International development minister Lynne Featherstone, who is on a visit to Malawi, said the funds would "save countless lives".

Price hikes and unpredictable weather have left food stocks dangerously low in the region, the government said.

Up to £20m is destined for Malawi, where maize stocks have fallen to just a quarter of the annual average.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23276632

[JDPriestly]

1. Is this drought a recurring phenomenon or is it unusual and caused by climate change?

Does anyone know?

[Autumn]

2. This is a fascinating and frightening story. I am so glad we have this group.