The El Nino climatic event has caused the worst drought in 35 years in Southern Africa. The region normally receives rain between October and April, but the 2015- 2016 season rain did not fall until late February (UNOCHA May, 2016). This crippled rain-fed agricultural production which accounts for the livelihoods of most Southern Africans. The subsequent April 2016 harvest proved meagre, with a regional maize production shortfall of 9.3 million tons. This was the second consecutive poor rainfall season in the region deepening vulnerabilities.
Southern Angola has been experiencing consecutive seasons of poor rainfall. The recent El Nino has exacerbated the situation, affecting access to water for human consumption, irrigation and livestock. There has also been an increase in cases of malaria, diarrhoea, cholera, malnutrition in children under age 5, measles, scabies, acute respiratory infections and yellow fever (258 died of yellow fever between January- April 2016). An estimated 756,000 people in rural areas require humanitarian assistance of which 75,593 require immediate food assistance. An estimated US$ 261.423 million is required for the response (Angola Vulnerability Assessment Committee Results 2016). The most affected municipalities are Cunene, Namibe and Huila Provinces.
ACT Angola Forum members, Lutheran World Federation and Norwegian Church Aid plan to respond through ACT appeal, due to their presence by providing WASH interventions, Food security through climate-smart agriculture and community based disaster risk reduction [CBDRR] to 5,000 vulnerable households in the municipalities mentioned.
