Angola has been going through a prolonged drought due to three failed consecutive agriculture seasons in Cunene, Huíla, and Namibe provinces. As a result of the poor rain patterns, farmers have recorded a 40 % crop loss; greatly impacting negatively on household food security, income, and livelihoods.
The drought in Angola falls under one of the most under-reported or forgotten humanitarian crises (CARE– breaking the silence, 2023).In Angola, this is the worst drought in 40 years, and it has been characterized by hunger and rising food prices affecting an estimated 3.8 million people resulting in 114,000 children under the age of five acutely malnourished (UNICEF: HAC 2023 report). The drought is caused by irregular or lack of rains for farming communities as farmers have not harvested sufficient food due to the poor rains over several past seasons. Many have lost their seed stock, and livestock (oxen) that were used for plowing their field have also died.
The situation is predicted to be most critical from August to Oct/Nov 2023. During this period, all food reserves will be depleted, the man-made dams (Chimpakas) will be dry, and basic food prices will be at their peak. According to the Global Network Against Food Crisis (GNAFC) report, Angola is among the countries where the food security situation is forecasted to remain critical due to below-average rainfall, and humanitarian assistance until the next harvest is needed to prevent further deterioration.
The national member of ACT Angola Forum the Council of Churches of Angola (Conselho de Igrejas Cristãs em Angola) CICA is planning to respond to the drought crisis through Rapid Response Funds.
