Water Crisis and Food Insecurity: The Climate Emergency in Africa

Oxfam’s report highlights an 80% increase in hunger across Eastern and Southern Africa, predominantly due to worsening water crises linked to climate change. Nearly 116 million people lack access to safe drinking water, exacerbating food insecurity, particularly among marginalized communities like women and girls. Key figures underscore the urgent need for improved climate financing and infrastructural investment to combat this humanitarian crisis.

A recent Oxfam report has revealed a staggering 80 percent increase in hunger levels across Eastern and Southern Africa due to escalating water scarcity influenced by the climate crisis. Nearly 116 million people lack access to safe drinking water in the worst-hit regions, which include Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Additionally, global flash floods have become twenty times more frequent since 2000, exacerbating the struggles faced by local populations.

The report emphasizes the dramatic effects of climate change, which is intensifying extreme weather events such as droughts and cyclones. Furthermore, the depletion of Africa’s glaciers and groundwater is severely impacting small-scale farmers and fisheries, who constitute a significant portion of the population. This crisis affects not only food production but also threatens the income and livelihoods of millions.

Oxfam highlights that the number of individuals experiencing acute hunger in the aforementioned countries has risen from 31 million in 2019 to over 55 million by 2024. The adverse impacts of the La Niña weather pattern serve as a further threat, leading to floods in pockets of Southern Africa and South Sudan while causing droughts in East Africa, thereby jeopardizing food security.

Existing socioeconomic inequalities, coupled with a lack of investment and poor governance systems, worsen the water crisis. African nations currently invest less than half of the US$50 billion required annually to secure water access by 2030. The report underscores that the climate crisis is a human issue affecting real lives, particularly among marginalized communities such as women and girls, who bear the brunt of this crisis.

Statistics indicate that small-scale farmers in the examined countries largely rely on rainwater for their survival. The report notes alarming figures: in Ethiopia, food insecurity has surged by 175 percent, resulting in 22 million individuals struggling to secure food, while in Somalia, over a million individuals might face severe hunger due to failed rainy seasons. Women’s struggles in accessing water exacerbate existing disparities, as they often walk long distances through challenging conditions to procure water, hindering educational and economic opportunities.

The Oxfam report advocates for fairer climate financing for Sub-Saharan Africa, noting it currently receives only 3-4 percent of global climate finance while being highly vulnerable to climate change’s impacts. Efforts from wealthy nations, alongside increased investment in water infrastructure by African governments, are critical in addressing these challenges and ensuring that affected communities can adapt to and manage climatic changes effectively.

In summary, the Oxfam report reveals the alarming escalation of hunger in Eastern and Southern Africa, with nearly 116 million people lacking access to safe drinking water due to aggravated climate conditions. The link between water scarcity and food insecurity is evident as extreme weather patterns disrupt agriculture and livelihoods. It is crucial for both wealthy nations and African governments to invest in sustainable water management strategies to alleviate this crisis and support vulnerable populations affected by climate-induced challenges.

Original Source: reliefweb.int