As drought tightens its grip across Southern Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi have all declared states of disaster, signaling the severity of the crisis as millions face hunger.
In Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced a national disaster, emphasizing the urgent need for $2 billion to combat the dire consequences of low rainfall.
With nearly half of the maize crop destroyed, food prices have surged, leaving an estimated 2.7 million people on the brink of starvation.
The situation is mirrored in neighboring Zambia and Malawi, where governments have also declared states of disaster in response to the relentless drought.
The El Nino global weather pattern is to blame, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis throughout the region.
As the three nations grapple with the devastation, the scramble for maize on the international market intensifies.
Authorities warn that the number of people requiring food aid is likely to surpass initial projections, underscoring the urgent need for international assistance to mitigate the growing threat of famine.
