In just five years, the number of people facing severe hunger in these regions has increased by nearly 80%, from 31 million to more than 55 million.

The Oxfam, Water-Driven Hunger; How the Climate Crisis Fuels Africa's Food Emergency report investigates the complex links between water shortages and hunger in eight of the continent's most water-stressed countries. Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These nations have been particularly affected by a combination of droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events, making food insecurity even worse.

Elise Nalbandian, one of the report's authors and Regional Influencing Lead at Oxfam Africa, shared that the climate crisis is driving more frequent and severe natural disasters. "Southern Africa faced an unprecedented drought last year, followed by intense floods and cyclones, while East Africa is seeing the loss of glaciers, which has led to less available water," Nalbandian said.

The report also points out a critical issue: the lack of coordination between efforts to address water and food security. Governments and aid agencies often treat these problems separately, which leads to fragmented and ineffective responses. Nalbandian stressed the need for a more unified approach, where water management and agricultural development are integrated to tackle the interlinked issues of water scarcity and hunger.

One major recommendation from the report is the need for increased investment in weather data and infrastructure. Africa remains one of the least equipped regions when it comes to reliable weather forecasts, making it harder to plan and respond to climate change.

Looking to the future, the report warns that if these trends continue, Africa will struggle to meet the food needs of its growing population. However, Nalbandian remains hopeful, stating that the continent has the potential to adapt through improved governance, strategic planning, and sustainable solutions.

--ChannelAfrica--