Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a state of emergency due to the ongoing drought in the southern African country. Much less rain than normal fell in about 80 percent of the country.
A dry spell caused by the El Niño climate phenomenon meant that farmers could only harvest just over half of the planned grain harvest, Mnangagwa said on Wednesday in the capital Harare.
1.86 billion euros are needed
Much less rain than normal fell in about 80 percent of the country. The government therefore needs financial support of two billion dollars (1.86 billion euros) to combat hunger in the country with 17 million inhabitants.
Neighboring countries were also affected
Neighboring countries Zambia and Malawi have also declared a state of emergency due to El Niño – a weather phenomenon that occurs at irregular intervals in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
According to the UN children’s fund UNICEF, nine million people in Malawi and six million in Zambia are currently affected. In addition, tens of thousands of people in Mozambique, Botswana and Angola are already suffering from the drought.
Source: Krone
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