Grassroots September 2016, Vol. 16, No. 3

News SADC appeals for assistance as drought hits hard Tsholofelo Mathibedi SABC News http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/de5561804da33cd3bd45ffcfeb4bc468/SADC-appeals-for- assistanceas- drought-hits- hard-20162607 T he Southern African Development Community (SADC) region needs at least $2.7 billion to mitigate the effects of El Nino induced drought. The region has launched an appeal for humanitarian assistance in Gaborone, Botswana. Since being hit by the worst drought in more than thirty years, SADC is more concerned about food security which may lead to millions suffering from starvation. While a US Aid representative, Blake Chrystal says, “There are two things: there is an immediate need for food and people who are food insecure. We are providing assistance for that. There's also resiliency and disaster drought mitigation which is longer term." The region says it has learnt from El Nino to be vigilant against natural disasters in the future. Currently, 40 million people representing 14% of the region's total population are food insecure. "In South Africa - the biggest grain producer in the region - it is estimated that the maize harvest resulted in approximately 7.16 million metric tonnes, about 4.0 million tonnes less than average. Several countries including Lesotho and Swaziland have recorded over 50% drop in their crop harvests," says SADC Chairperson, Ian Khama. South Africa has its fair share of challenges. The chairperson of Agri North West, says many of its farmers have been badly affected by the drought. He says less food production may mean not being able to help our neighbours in the region. Seeing that in South Africa we have a very well developed agricultural sector that includes supply lines you know the whole value chain obviously. If our growing population and being able to produce and the implementation of new technologies make it possible, it is under pressure to be able to say whether we will have access food to be able to export,” says Agri SA’s Pierre Vercueli. Donor countries are already responding to the call by SADC. According to the European Union’s (EU) Alexander Baum, "This year alone we are providing 60 million Euros to the most affected countries in the region, which are about seven countries.” Grassroots September 2016 Vol 16 No.3

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