Southern Africa's Children Face Hunger Crisis as Drought Ravages Region

Southern Africa Faces Hunger Crisis as Children Suffer from Malnutrition

The worst drought in 100 years has gripped Southern Africa, leaving millions of children facing hunger and malnutrition. The El Niño weather cycle has disrupted crop planting and harvesting for three consecutive years, leading to devastating consequences for the region's most vulnerable populations.

An estimated 21 million children are suffering from malnutrition, and the 2025 harvest is expected to be poor once again. The situation is particularly dire for subsistence farmers, who rely on their own smallholdings for survival. The failed harvests have left them with little to eat and have driven up food prices, with the cost of maize and cooking oil doubling in the past year.

In Malawi, the situation is particularly alarming. The cost of fertilizer has risen by 64% since 2023, making it impossible for many families to afford. The poor sowing conditions in 2024 suggest that the next harvest season in April and May will also be meager. Six countries have already declared a state of disaster.

Mary's Meals, a charity that provides daily meals to over 2.4 million children in 16 of the world's poorest countries, is working to alleviate the crisis. Their school feeding programs are proving to be a lifeline for children who are on the brink of starvation.

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Founder and CEO of Mary's Meals, visited Tafika Primary School in Malawi to witness the situation firsthand. He described the children as being "on the brink of disaster" and emphasized the urgency of expanding school feeding programs in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Desire, a 12-year-old student at Tafika Primary School, is one of the many children who are benefiting from Mary's Meals. He often goes to bed hungry, but the nutritious porridge he receives at school provides him with much-needed sustenance and allows him to concentrate on his studies.

The head teacher at Tafika Primary, Agness Wakili, has witnessed the devastating impact of the drought on her students and their families. She emphasizes that the harvest will be poor and that people are starving. However, she also sees hope in the Mary's Meals porridge, which is providing much-needed nourishment and attracting children to school.

As the drought continues to grip Southern Africa, Mary's Meals is working tirelessly to provide children with the food and education they need to survive and thrive. Their efforts are a beacon of hope in a time of great need.