Southern African scientists call for urgent action as drought bites

Crop failures and livestock deaths reported as extreme El Niño summer extends into April

Researchers and agricultural policy experts in southern Africa have said that governments, donors and international actors must immediately take steps to “save lives and avoid further catastrophes” as one of the most severe El Niño summer droughts on record continues to grip the region.

A “record-breaking dry spell” lasting more than 30 days is scorching Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, resulting in a “dire” situation, five organisations say in a joint statement published on 22 April.