Millions of people in southern Africa face the worst food crisis in decades, WFP warns

Millions of people in southern Africa are facing the worst food crisis in decades, the World Food Program (WFP) said on Tuesday, warning that its ability to provide aid risks being undermined by a lack of funding.

Amid unprecedented drought conditions, a record five countries – Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe – have declared a state of calamity and requested international humanitarian support, according to the United Nations agency. Angola and Mozambique have also been seriously affected and around 21 million children are malnourished.

“Unless we receive additional resources, millions of people risk going through the worst lean season in decades without assistance,” WFP spokesman Tomson Phiri said at a press conference in Geneva.