The World Food Program (WFP) is sounding the alarm in Angola. Southwest of the country is experiencing a severe drought – the worst in 40 years – and famine is threatening thousands of families whose farms no longer produce anything.
The drought that is raging in Kwanza-Sul, Benguela, Huambo or Huila has begun to be felt. In these provinces of southwestern Angola, the difficulties are such that families have begun to leave these regions.
“We are seeing a phenomenon of drought in the middle of the rainy season,” warns WFP spokesman Tomson Phiri. “This is affecting the southwestern provinces, namely Kwanza-Sul, Benguela, Huambo, Namibe and Huila.” In these production areas that feed the country, families live off agriculture. Rain is really important for these crops. This drought will cause losses and threaten livestock survival. ”
The pandemic makes travel uncomfortable
“With such a drought,” warns Tomson Phiri, “farmers are no longer able to graze their livestock in the completely naked pastoral areas. We are beginning to observe population movements. People are leaving these regions to other provinces in the country, while the period does not contribute to movements due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We also see some flows of people fleeing to neighboring Namibia. “
