Overview

• Five countries have declared national disasters due to the severe drought: Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
• The World Food Program estimates 21 million children are malnourished as crops fail and livestock perish.
• Food prices have surged, intensifying the hardship for millions who rely on rain-fed agriculture.
• Electricity shortages are widespread as low water levels at the Kariba Dam affect hydroelectric power generation.
• International aid is urgently needed, with the WFP requiring $369 million to address the crisis, but donations have fallen short.