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The Southern African Development Community said on Saturday that about 68 million people in the region are suffering from the effects of drought caused by… El Nino phenomenonwhich has wiped out crops across the region.
The drought, which began early this year, has damaged crop and livestock production, causing food shortages and harming the economies of the countries in the region.
The heads of the 16-nation Southern African Development Community met in Harare, Zimbabwe, to discuss regional issues, including food security.
The group's executive secretary, Elias Magosi, said that about 68 million people, or 17 percent of the region's population, need aid.
Magosi said this year's rainy season had been difficult, with most parts of the region suffering from the negative effects of the El Nino phenomenon, which is characterised by delayed rainfall, adding that it was the worst drought the region had experienced in years.
Causes of the crisis
The official attributed this drought to a combination of the El Nino phenomenon and rising average temperatures resulting from greenhouse gas emissions.
El Niño occurs naturally when abnormally warm waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean change weather patterns around the world.
Countries including Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi have already declared states of emergency over the famine crisis, while Lesotho and Namibia have called for assistance.
The group's outgoing chairman, Angolan President Joao Lourenco, said the region launched an appeal in May for $5.5 billion in humanitarian aid to support drought efforts, but no donations have been received.
“The amount mobilized so far is unfortunately less than the estimated amounts, and I would like to reiterate the appeal to regional and international partners to redouble their efforts and assist our peoples affected by El Nino,” Lourenco added.
