Southern African drought

The United Nations says that the Southern Africa’s drought has left up to 14 millions of people in the region hungry. The UN’S World Food Programme says that the drought caused by the El Nino weather pattern will increase the number of people without food this year, as the situation has been estimated to worsen in the region. The worst affected countries in the region by poor rains have been Malawi, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. Lesotho has declared a drought emergency while South Africa have declared five provinces in the country as disaster areas. To assist us on this subject we have: • David Orr, Communications Officer for Southern Africa at the United Nations World Food Programme in Johannesburg South Africa • Dr Everisto Mapedza: Senior Researcher – Social and Institutional Scientist (International Water Management Institute for Southern Africa- IWMI-SA) • Dr Jonathan Lautze: Senior Researcher (Water Resources Management) (International Water Management Institute for Southern Africa- IWMI-SA)