奇速英语

非洲南部干旱肆虐 4500万人面临饥饿威胁

In Africa, 45 million people are threatened with hunger, according to the United Nations' estimates. Emergency food deliveries are planned for regions of South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and other nations hit with a deadly combination of low rainfall and high temperatures. “We’ve had the worst drought in 35 years in central and western areas during the growing season,” said Margaret Malu, the World Food Program acting regional director for southern Africa.

While the U.N. estimates that 45 million people will be starving over the next six months, 11 million now face “crisis” or “emergency” levels of food insecurity in nine countries: Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Eswatini and Lesotho. Southern Africa has received normal levels of rainfall in just one out of the past five growing seasons, which has particularly affected farmers who depend on rain for their crops.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is investing $70 million in agricultural biotechnology initiatives to get rid of hunger across the world. The droughts are also having bad effects on the region’s wildlife. At least 105 elephants have died in Zimbabwe’s wildlife reserves over the last two months due to lack of water and food, according to Zimbabwe’s national parks. Some animals are getting close to the nearby communities in search of food and water.

"The great drought has been the great disaster for many communities. In most of the affected areas there isn't enough drinking water, which means that people and animals — both livestock and wildlife — are having to use the same water points," said Kaitano Chungu, Secretary General of the Zambia Red Cross. "This is dangerous as it exposes people to diseases and creates a high risk of animal attacks."