SADC Ministers Address El Niño Impacts on Agriculture, Energy, Water, and Disaster Management
Ministers responsible for Agriculture, Energy, Water, and Disaster Risk Management from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened virtually on May 14th, 2024, to deliberate on the sectoral ramifications of the El Niño-induced drought and floods.
This prelude to the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government was chaired by His Excellency General Eugénio Laborinho, Minister of Interior of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the Joint Meeting of Ministers.
Expressing grave concern over the multifaceted impacts of El Niño, General Laborinho highlighted the acute water scarcity and ensuing food insecurity in the SADC region, where agriculture plays a pivotal role in the economy.
He stressed the need for solidarity and concerted efforts across all sectors to address the challenges posed by El Niño-induced drought and floods.
His Excellency Mr. Elias M. Magosi, the Executive Secretary of SADC, underscored the interconnected nature of El Niño’s impacts, which extend across various sectors.
He cited instances where low water levels have prompted prolonged electricity load shedding in some Member States, adversely affecting the socio-economic landscape and productivity of the region.
Magosi emphasized the imperative of collaborative action among ministries and sectors to harness synergies and facilitate integrated planning and harmonized interventions. These efforts aim to mitigate the adverse effects of drought and floods, which have left an estimated 56.8 million people in the SADC region facing food insecurity.
Representatives from international organizations including the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), and Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET) attended the meeting.
The Joint Meeting of Ministers sets the stage for the upcoming Council of Ministers meeting on May 19th, 2024, followed by the Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government on May 20th, 2024.
These gatherings will focus on addressing the humanitarian challenges stemming from El Niño-induced drought and floods, underscoring the region’s commitment to collaborative action in times of crisis.
Source: SADC
