Drought & Disaster
The intensifying effects of climate change are increasing the frequency and severity of natural disasters, including droughts, hurricanes, and wildfires. Among these, droughts are often overlooked. Currently, Malawi faces a severe crisis, with about nine million people affected by El Niño-induced droughts and floods. This has led to significant crop failures, particularly in maize production, resulting in widespread hunger and food insecurity.
As climate change continues to worsen, so too does the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. Events such as droughts, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and floods are becoming more severe, causing widespread devastation and displacement. Among these, droughts specifically stand out predominantly due to their long-lasting effects.
Understanding Droughts
Droughts are periods of deficient rainfall that result in water shortages for various needs such as agriculture, drinking, and industrial purposes. Unlike sudden disasters like tornadoes or hurricanes, droughts develop slowly but can last for years, making them particularly harmful. Although many believe that droughts are miraculously fixed after some rain, this is far from the case. Many will continue to have devastating effects despite a sufficient amount of rainfall.
The significance of droughts cannot be overstated. They directly threaten food security, lead to economic losses, trigger mass migrations, and cause conflicts over resources. Droughts also have major effects on the environment, reducing biodiversity, causing habitat loss, and increasing the risk of wildfires. For instance, in California, prolonged droughts have led to severe water shortages, impacting agriculture and leading to the imposition of water use restrictions on residents and businesses. California also suffers from disastrous wildfires each year that continue to worsen.
Causes of Droughts
Droughts are primarily caused by natural climate changes, but human activities significantly increase their frequency and severity. Key factors include:
Climate Change
As mentioned previously, the worsening of climate change amplifies the impact natural events such as droughts have. Rising global temperatures increase evaporation rates, reduce precipitation in some regions, and alter weather patterns, making droughts more likely and severe. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that climate change will intensify the frequency and severity of droughts in many parts of the world if nothing is done about it. The effects are already being noticed around the world, yet despite this, not enough is being done.
Deforestation
Deforestation significantly worsens drought conditions by disrupting the natural water cycle and reducing the land’s ability to retain moisture. Trees play a crucial role in absorbing and storing water through their roots and releasing it into the atmosphere via transpiration.
However, the problem arises when deforestation occurs on a larger scale. Less water is absorbed into the soil and less moisture is released into the air, leading to decreased rainfall and drier conditions. Additionally, exposed soil becomes more prone to soil erosion, further reducing its capacity to hold water and weakening the land’s fertility. This disruption not only increases the frequency and severity of droughts but also decreases the resilience of ecosystems and agricultural systems to withstand prolonged dry periods.
Poor Land Management
Practices such as overgrazing, overusing water, monoculture farming (the practice of farmers planting one crop over and over), and improper irrigation techniques degrade soil and reduce its ability to retain moisture. This not only diminishes soil fertility but also increases runoff and erosion, further reducing the land’s capacity to absorb and store water. As a result, these poor land management practices continue to worsen drought conditions by creating an environment where water is less available and the soil is less resilient to prolonged dry periods.
El Niño
El Niño is a climatic phenomenon characterized by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This disruption of normal weather patterns has drastic effects, including altering precipitation and temperature patterns globally. In regions like Africa, El Niño can lead to significant reductions in rainfall, worsening drought conditions. Historical records indicate that El Niño events have been associated with severe droughts in Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world, highlighting the need for better predictive models and preparedness strategies.
Malawi
Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, is no stranger to the challenges posed by droughts, as they are accustomed to seasonal ones. However, the current El Niño cycle has intensified these issues, plunging the nation into a severe crisis. The impacts on Malawi so far have been devastating, with about nine million people being affected by floods and droughts, leading to widespread hunger and displacement.
Crop Shortages & Starvation
Malawi’s economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, with maize being the staple crop. The El Niño-induced drought has severely affected this season’s maize harvest, resulting in a forecasted 45% decline compared to the five-year average. This shortfall has intensified food insecurity, with approximately 40% of the population facing acute hunger by the end of the year.
Between June and September of 2024, about 4.2 million people, or 20% of Malawi’s population, are expected to experience high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above). This includes 56,000 people in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and 4.1 million people in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). These populations urgently require humanitarian assistance to bridge food consumption gaps, protect and restore livelihoods, and prevent high levels of acute malnutrition. The situation is even more dire considering that most of these people are unable to produce sufficient food on their own and rely heavily on market purchases to meet their needs.
The Response
In response to the crisis, the President of Malawi declared a national disaster on March 25th, 2024. The National Response Plan, launched in April, estimates the funding needs at 449 million US dollars. Furthermore, on July 23rd, the United Nations, in collaboration with the Government of Malawi, launched a 136.5 million dollar Flash Appeal to address the devastating impacts of the El Niño-induced drought.
This appeal seeks to provide life-saving assistance to the 4.7 million most vulnerable people, prioritizing food aid, agricultural support, and logistics. Despite these efforts, the situation is anticipated to deteriorate further during the lean season from October 2024 to March 2025, with an estimated 5.7 million people expected to be in IPC Phase 3 or above. The international community’s response will be crucial in preventing a humanitarian catastrophe and ensuring that the affected populations receive the necessary support.
Ways to Help
There are several ways individuals and organizations can support those affected by the drought in Malawi:
Donate to Relief Efforts: Contributions to organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and other humanitarian agencies can provide essential food, water, and medical supplies to those in need. Every donation, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected.
Support Sustainable Agriculture: Investing in projects that promote sustainable farming practices can help restore soil health, improve water retention, and increase crop resilience to areas prone to drought. Programs that teach farmers how to use drought-resistant crops and efficient irrigation techniques can have long-lasting positive impacts if done properly.
Raise Awareness: Educating others about the crisis and the broader impacts of climate change can drive more significant action and support for affected communities. Starting small by doing events in your community can make incredible progress and make substantial difference. You do not have to feel pressured to solely focus on massive actions, or be scared of joining and working with others towards a safer future.
Advocate for Climate Action: Lobbying for policies that address climate change, reduce carbon emissions, and promote renewable energy can help mitigate the long-term effects of global warming and reduce the frequency of climate-induced disasters. Supporting legislation that promotes reforestation, sustainable land management, and water conservation is also crucial.
Environmental Awareness
While immediate humanitarian aid is crucial, it is equally important to address the root causes of such crises. Our environmental impact, driven by activities like deforestation, overconsumption, and greenhouse gas emissions, is exacerbating climate change and increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events. Individual actions, such as reducing energy consumption, supporting sustainable products, and minimizing waste, can collectively make a significant difference.
Recap
The intensifying effects of climate change are increasing the frequency and severity of natural disasters, including droughts, hurricanes, and wildfires. Among these, droughts are often overlooked. They are caused by a combination of natural climatic variations and human activities such as deforestation, poor land management, and excessive water use. The El Niño phenomenon, which disrupts global weather patterns, has exacerbated drought conditions in many regions, including Malawi.
Currently, Malawi faces a severe crisis, with about nine million people affected by El Niño-induced droughts and floods. This has led to significant crop failures, particularly in maize production, resulting in widespread hunger and food insecurity. Humanitarian efforts are underway, but the situation is expected to worsen during the upcoming seasons. Addressing the immediate needs and tackling the root causes, such as poor environmental practices and climate change, are crucial to mitigating the impact of such crises in the future.