The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is evaluating the consequences of a severe drought in Africa and exploring ways to aid the affected nations, officials said Thursday.
Julie Kozack, Communications Director at the IMF, addressed the issue during a press conference. “Over the last several years and decades, the IMF has witnessed an increased frequency of climate shocks globally,” Kozack stated. “Africa has been particularly hard hit by these climate shocks, as evidenced by the current droughts in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia.”
The drought, the worst in 40 years, is affecting East Africa and has impacted more than 29 million people. The situation has led to mass displacement, malnutrition, food insecurity, and outbreaks of diseases such as cholera.
In Somalia, approximately 1.4 million people have been displaced due to the drought. Meanwhile, in Zambia, President Hakainde Hichilema declared a national disaster and emergency in March, citing the devastation of food production and electricity supply caused by the lack of rainfall.
Several African countries have declared national emergencies in response to the crisis, and the IMF is actively working on ways to provide support to these nations.
