This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-68721078#0

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Zimbabwe's President Mnangagwa declares national disaster over drought Zimbabwe's President Mnangagwa declares national disaster over drought
(about 1 month later)
The president has said the country needs $2bn to address the effects of the droughtThe president has said the country needs $2bn to address the effects of the drought
The president has said the country needs $2bn to address the effects of the drought
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a national disaster to tackle the prolonged drought crisis.Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a national disaster to tackle the prolonged drought crisis.
Mr Mnangagwa said on Wednesday the country needs $2bn (£1.6bn) to tackle hunger caused by low rainfall which has wiped out about half of the maize crop.Mr Mnangagwa said on Wednesday the country needs $2bn (£1.6bn) to tackle hunger caused by low rainfall which has wiped out about half of the maize crop.
The grain shortage has pushed up food prices and an estimated 2.7 million people will face hunger.The grain shortage has pushed up food prices and an estimated 2.7 million people will face hunger.
Neighbouring Zambia and Malawi have also recently declared states of disasters due to drought.Neighbouring Zambia and Malawi have also recently declared states of disasters due to drought.
Some fear that the drought sweeping southern Africa will be one of the worst in decades.Some fear that the drought sweeping southern Africa will be one of the worst in decades.
The World Food Programme said 13.6 million people are currently experiencing crisis level of food insecurity in the region.The World Food Programme said 13.6 million people are currently experiencing crisis level of food insecurity in the region.
"Top on our priority is securing food for all Zimbabweans. No Zimbabwean must succumb to or die from hunger," Mr Mnangagwa told journalists."Top on our priority is securing food for all Zimbabweans. No Zimbabwean must succumb to or die from hunger," Mr Mnangagwa told journalists.
Zimbabwe is already grappling with high inflation driven by food prices.Zimbabwe is already grappling with high inflation driven by food prices.
The country now joins the regional scramble to find enough maize on the international market.The country now joins the regional scramble to find enough maize on the international market.
The lack of rain induced by the El Nino global weather pattern has also affected electricity production, as Zimbabwe relies on hydroelectric power.The lack of rain induced by the El Nino global weather pattern has also affected electricity production, as Zimbabwe relies on hydroelectric power.
Zimbabwe was once the breadbasket of southern Africa, but in recent years has suffered bouts of severe drought affecting crop and cattle.Zimbabwe was once the breadbasket of southern Africa, but in recent years has suffered bouts of severe drought affecting crop and cattle.
The worst drought in living memory occurred in 1992, when a quarter of the national cattle herd perished.The worst drought in living memory occurred in 1992, when a quarter of the national cattle herd perished.
But the dry spells have returned with increasing frequency. Droughts were declared in 2016 and again in 2019.But the dry spells have returned with increasing frequency. Droughts were declared in 2016 and again in 2019.
Not all droughts are due to climate change, but excess heat in the atmosphere is drawing more moisture out of the earth and making droughts worse.Not all droughts are due to climate change, but excess heat in the atmosphere is drawing more moisture out of the earth and making droughts worse.
The world has already warmed by about 1.2C since since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.The world has already warmed by about 1.2C since since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.
You may also be interested in:You may also be interested in:
What is El Niño and how does it change the weather?What is El Niño and how does it change the weather?
What is El Niño and how does it change the weather?
What you should know about climate change in AfricaWhat you should know about climate change in Africa
What you should know about climate change in Africa
How to survive living in a cyclone zoneHow to survive living in a cyclone zone
How to survive living in a cyclone zone
A simple guide to Zimbabwe
A simple guide to ZimbabweA simple guide to Zimbabwe
Related TopicsRelated Topics
DroughtDrought
El NiñoEl Niño
ZimbabweZimbabwe