Positive start to SADC�s P26bn El Nino appeal

The southern African region experienced its worst drought in 35 years in the recent farming season, pushing 40 million people into need, including 23 million requiring emergency intervention. Ten out of the 15 SADC states require humanitarian assistance, as the crisis has caused hunger, malnutrition and other health issues, power shortages and broader economic challenges for the region.

Shortly after Khama launched the appeal, in which he presented a dire assessment of the region’s humanitarian status, several representatives of donor states rose to announce their initial responses.  Representatives from the United States, Britain, the European Union collectively announced interventions amounting to $501.4 million (P5.4bn), while the United Nations said an initial $41million had been released from an emergency fund.