El Nino-hit Southern Africa appeals for $5.5 bln in relief

Southern African countries hit by extreme El Nino weather phenomenon made an appeal for $5.5 billion to assist some 61 million affected people.

The call was made by the Southern African Development Community, which brings together 16 members.

Some countries in the region such as Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi saw their crops sapped by extreme weather patterns, with the threat of hunger looming.

Zambia and Zimbabwe, in particular, suffered electricity outages due to empty hydroelectric dams, after a severe El Nino-induced drought.

Farmers in this area rely on rain to grow staples such as maize. Their way of life is now threatened by the severe drought which could trigger migrations and worsen poverty.

Several U.N. agencies and aid groups including the World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organisation and the International Federation of Red Cross pledged initial funding.

Some countries, such as Kenya, have suffered drought and torrential rains that killed more than 200 and displaced thousands. The economic toll is estimated at about 5% of Kenya’s GDP.