The upcoming lean season, which may begin next month, could significantly deepen acute malnutrition and water scarcity. Women and children face exacerbated risks of discrimination, violence, abuse and exploitation. Families might leave their homes as a coping mechanism, but this makes children more vulnerable due to school dropouts and reduced access to education.
Humanitarians are doing everything they can to save lives with extremely limited funding. But if aid is not sustained, millions of people risk tipping into catastrophic conditions.
To kick-start the drought crisis response, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund released more than $36.8 million to support partners in several countries in Southern Africa.
Humanitarian partners are asking donors to ramp up funding to save lives and protect livelihoods, and to enable communities to build their resilience against future shocks. Key priorities include food assistance, safe water for people and livestock, and agricultural inputs to make the most of the improved rainfall that will likely arrive later this year with the forecasted La Niña event.
Source link : https://www.unocha.org/news/five-things-you-need-know-about-el-nino-induced-drought-southern-africa
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Publish date : 2024-06-13 22:43:38
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