Christians and churches across vast tracts of southern Africa are bracing themselves for famine following a crippling drought. Across the region farmers suffered the driest February in decades. It has wiped out crops, led to power shortages, and now threatens to send already expensive food prices surging even higher.
In February, many parts of Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe had the lowest recorded rainfall since 1981. The dry spell, blamed on the El Niño weather system, is but the latest indicator of how severely Africa is being impacted by extreme weather events, which many scientists say are becoming increasingly frequent and severe due to man-made climate change.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has declared the drought a national disaster, as almost half of crop areas have been destroyed – just as the staple corn crop should be ready to harvest. In Zimbabwe, some farmers have given up trying to grow and harvest their crops, allowing cattle to graze on the remainder. Water levels in the normally mighty Zambezi River, which powers the turbines that both nations rely on for electricity, are less than a quarter of what they were in 2023.
‘This drought has devastating consequences,’ Hichilema said in a national broadcast. ‘The destruction caused by the prolonged drought spell is immense.’
The cost of maize in Zambia is 76% higher than it was a year ago. In Zimbabwe, cereal prices (expressed in US dollars) have risen by a similar amount, according to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network. In some places, prices doubled within just three months.
Zimbabwe’s government has warned that the 2024 harvest may be only half that of 12 months ago. The local grain millers’ association plans to import as much as 1.1 million tons of corn from South Africa and South America over the next year. The World Food Programme anticipates that about a quarter of the rural population will run short of grain in the first three months.
With famine now looming, organisations such as the Zimbabwe Partnership Trust are seeking to draw the world’s attention to the crisis. Its latest newsletter to supporters quotes farmer Robert Chatindo, who says: ‘Things are not good at all, crops are dead, we are having to encourage the people and give hope in the Lord. The sun is scorching hot and one can only hope in the Lord for a miracle provision. A lot of relief food, etc., is needed if the Lord would give grace.’ And James Kambudzi commented: ‘We are getting into a dangerous situation where everyone is now hopeless about the rains. We will keep on praying about this and will wait upon God. Last night I failed to sleep when more people came to our door looking hungry and hopeless.’
Churches in the cities also recognise the extent of the problem, and their responsibility to help where they can. Pastor Des of Cornerstone Church, Harare, is under no illusions, telling Evangelicals Now: ‘We are staring down the barrel of famine and action is needed now. The church needs to respond, especially to those within our own network, and we know that many will need our help over the next few weeks and months’.
