Guest: Dr Theo De Jager - Board Chair of Policy Research and Analysis at the Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Policy Analysis (FANRPAN)

Southern Africa is in the grip of an urgent crisis with a record-breaking dry spell lasting over 30 days scorching eight countries - Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

El Niño and climate change are fueling this disaster, inflicting severe damage to crops and livestock over the past five years. Experts highlight that the situation is dire and demands immediate attention. Widespread crop failure looms in Malawi,
Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Livestock are dying at alarming rates due to a lack of water and vegetation. The movement of desperate people and animals is spreading diseases, including those transmissible to humans with over 9000 cattle deaths being reported since October 2023. This is a humanitarian crisis demanding immediate action to negate the worsening of the suffering of communities within the SADC region. We find out from our guest this evening the extent of this problem and the urgent interventions needed.