KEY DEVELOPMENTS
During the 2015/2016 October-to-January rainy season, many areas of Southern Africa experienced the lowest-recorded rainfall amounts in 35 years, resulting in widespread drought conditions, according to the USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET). The drought, exacerbated by the 2015/2016 El Niño climatic event, is causing deteriorating food security, agriculture, livestock, nutrition, and water conditions throughout the region, with significant humanitarian needs anticipated through at least April 2017, the UN reports.
Response actors report that the Southern African Development Community (SADC)—an inter-governmental organization to promote cooperation among 15 Southern African countries on regional issues—is preparing a regional disaster declaration, response plan, and funding appeal in coordination with the UN to support drought-affected countries in the region. The appeal presents an opportunity for host country governments to prioritize requests for assistance responding to the effects of widespread drought conditions and consequent negative impacts on planting and harvesting.
Between December 2015 and March 2016, the U.S. Government (USG) issued disaster declarations for Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe due to the drought and resultant requests for international support by host country governments. In recent weeks, staff from USAID have coordinated with host government officials, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other humanitarian stakeholders to conduct assessments and identify urgent needs in Angola, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
To date in FY 2016, USAID has provided nearly $47.4 million in humanitarian assistance, including nearly $47.2 million in food assistance from USAID/FFP and $150,000 for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions from USAID/OFDA.