Help families survive the Southern Africa food crisis

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45 million people face starvation and malnutrition in Southern Africa brought on by the region’s worst drought in 35 years.

Late rains, the aftermath of two major cyclones, droughts and flooding are putting lives at risk. And women and girls are already among the worst affected:

  • Reports are emerging from Zambia and Zimbabwe of women so desperate to feed their families, they’re trading sex for food. Early marriages are expected to rise as families trade their daughters for urgently needed cash and livestock, or simply because they just can’t keep another mouth to feed
  • In Mozambique, drought and cyclones have left almost 2 million people food insecure. An estimated 67,500 children require treatment for malnutrition
  • In Malawi, an estimated 1.1 million people need support. In the wake of Cyclone Idai and massive drops in harvests, this has lead to higher food prices
Show your support for women and communities on the frontline of the Southern African food crisis by chipping in today.

You can support ActionAid's urgent response

Women and girls are on the frontline of the climate crisis and are most at risk in emergencies. When emergencies happen, they are often the first responders, taking risks and playing critical roles in the survival of families and communities.

ActionAid and our local partners are on the ground in Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somaliland, assessing need and in some areas distributing life-saving items including food and water purification tablets, plus critical items for longer term health such as safe sanitary products and hygiene kits.

We are also supporting women and girls to create their own safe spaces where they feel physically and emotionally protected.

In the longer term, ActionAid is building communities’ resilience to climate disasters by training women and young people to take leadership roles during emergencies and hold decision-makers to account. We are also supporting smallholders to adopt climate-resilient agro-ecological farming techniques.

But the situation is worsening rapidly, and funding is urgently needed to protect more people’s lives and their livelihoods.

Make an urgent donation today!