HARARE: About 68 million people in Southern Africa are suffering the effects of an El Nino-induced drought which has wiped out crops across the region, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) said on Saturday.

The drought, which started in early 2024, has hit crop and livestock production, causing food shortages and damaging the wider economies, according to Reuters.

500 million children face health danger due to extreme heat, UN warns

Some 68 million people, or 17 percent of the region’s population, are in need of aid, said Elias Magosi, SADC executive secretary.

Heads of state from the 16-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) were meeting in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare to discuss regional issues including food security.