Several countries in east and southern Africa, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique, have been removed from the UN’s Hunger Hotspots list after improved rains led to robust harvests. Last year’s intense El Niño triggered widespread drought and hunger, but a mild La Niña brought relief just in time. Zambia, for example, is expecting a record 3.6 million-ton maize harvest—more than double last year’s. South Africa has also seen a 14% increase in maize output, which has helped lower food prices. While this turnaround offers hope, the UN warns that gains remain fragile amid global climate volatility. Meanwhile, humanitarian crises persist elsewhere, with Sudan, Haiti, and Palestine flagged as hunger emergencies. Still, for southern Africa, this season brings a welcome reprieve.
Daily Maverick
