Over 52m africans going hungry as weather extremes hit continent
A very concerning issue!
According to a recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, over 52 million Africans are facing hunger due to severe weather extremes, such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves. This is a significant increase from the 45 million people affected in 2020.
The report highlights that climate-related shocks, including extreme weather events, are having a devastating impact on food security and livelihoods across the continent. The effects are particularly severe in countries with limited resources and infrastructure, where people are already vulnerable to poverty, conflict, and other crises.
Some of the key findings of the report include:
- Droughts: Droughts have affected over 20 million people in Africa, with the worst-affected countries being Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.
- Floods: Floods have affected over 15 million people, with the worst-affected countries being Nigeria, South Sudan, and Sudan.
- Heatwaves: Heatwaves have affected over 10 million people, with the worst-affected countries being South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.
- Food insecurity: The report estimates that over 52 million people are facing hunger, with the worst-affected countries being the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Nigeria.
- Livestock losses: The report estimates that over 10 million livestock have been lost due to droughts and heatwaves, which has significant implications for food security and livelihoods.
The report emphasizes the need for urgent action to address the root causes of climate-related shocks and to support vulnerable communities in building resilience to these events. This includes:
- Climate-smart agriculture: Implementing climate-resilient agricultural practices and supporting small-scale farmers to adapt to changing weather patterns.
- Early warning systems: Establishing early warning systems to detect and respond to extreme weather events, reducing the risk of loss of life and property.
- Social protection: Providing social protection programs to support vulnerable households and individuals affected by climate-related shocks.
- Climate change mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and support sustainable development.
It is essential that we take immediate action to address the devastating impacts of climate-related shocks on food security and livelihoods in Africa.