HIGHLIGHTS
Onset of rains in late February unlikely to improve harvest yields in the region
Food security to deteriorate further due to agricultural deficits, high food prices, and eroded household finances
USAID/FFP contributes an additional $24 million to drought response activities in Madagascar and Zimbabwe
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Sustained drought conditions, exacerbated by the 2015/16 El Niño climatic event, are likely to produce poor harvests throughout the region and generate agricultural deficits in the affected countries, according to the USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET). Although El Niño is weakening worldwide, food insecurity and poor agriculture, livestock, nutrition, and water conditions are expected to continue in Southern Africa through April 2017.
The onset of significant rainfall in late February has improved water supplies and pasture conditions in some areas but is insufficient to improve harvest yields, according to the Southern African Development Community (SADC)—an intergovernmental organization to promote cooperation among 15 Southern African countries on regional issues. SADC has deployed teams throughout the region to assess post-harvest conditions in drought-affected areas.
Harvest shortfalls and food scarcity are contributing to elevated food prices throughout the region. Meanwhile, diminished labor opportunities in agriculture and related industries are further eroding incomes, rendering food prohibitively expensive among poorer households and prompting negative coping strategies.
U.S. Ambassador to Malawi Virginia E. Palmer declared a disaster in Malawi on April 21 due to drought and food insecurity in the country. In response, USAID is supporting food distributions to vulnerable households, as well the provision of agricultural inputs in advance of the next planting season.
To date in FY 2016, USAID has provided nearly $75 million in humanitarian assistance to Southern Africa to respond to drought and food insecurity.