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Southern Africa – Regional Drought Fact Sheet #1 Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 (June 7, 2024)

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SITUATION A T A GLANCE

231.1 MILLION Population of Southern Africa
CIA World Factbook – May 2024

38.3 MILLION Number of People in Need of Humanitarian Assistance
SADC – May 2024

4 Number of Countries That Declared Drought-Related Disasters
UN – May 2024

26 TO 30 MILLION Number of People in Urgent Need of Food Assistance
SADC – May 2024

$4 BILLION Amount Requested to Address El Niño- Related Needs Regionally
SADC – May 2024

  • Southern Africa has recorded the most severe drought during the January-to- March agricultural season in more than 100 years, according to the UN.
  • Anestimated26to30millionpeopleare experiencing acute food insecurity throughout the region ahead of the upcoming lean season.
  • Four countries had declared a state of emergency due to drought as of May. In response, the USG is providing urgently needed aid, including food and nutrition assistance, to address the most critical needs among drought-affected populations.