News Listing

Affected country: Botswana
Glide: DR-2024-000091-BWA
On May 24, 2024, the Rural Development Secretariat under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development issued a report urging support due to the devastating impact of drought on food security drivers, nutrition, water supplies, and food production. The report highlighted a signicant decline in crop yields, with a drop from 206,572 tons harvested in 2021/22 to 125,184 tons in 2022/23. Cereal production in 2022/23 reached only 67,530 tons, which is equivalent to just 23% of the national requirement. The 2022/23 cropping season experienced low and highly erratic rainfall, along with extended dry periods, severely impacting food and agricultural production, disrupting urban water supplies, and damaging the rural economy and socio-cultural structures. As a result, the nation is experiencing signicant chronic food insecurity, with over 10% of the population facing food and nutrition problems.
The country has experienced dry spells and rainfall decits in recent years, leading the government to declare a drought emergency in July 2023. This marks the third consecutive year of severe drought, affecting arable agricultural land in a context where 70% of the rural population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods, primarily through rain-fed farming. Since then, 163,000 people have been categorized as food insecure. The SADC Synthesis Report on The State of Food and Nutrition Security and Vulnerability in Southern Africa indicated that 37,000 individuals in Botswana are experiencing food insecurity in 2024.
The El Niño drought effect in Southern Africa has further exacerbated the already critical drought situation. According to the Southern Africa Seasonal Monitor report, Botswana is currently experiencing El Niño conditions, leading to severe rain deficits and challenging harvest conditions across most of the region, with dry spells expected to persist. (IFRC, 12 June 2024)

Affected country: Mozambique
Glide: DR-2024-000073-MOZ
As vast parts of southern Africa grapple with an unprecedented mid-season dry spell, the food security situation in Mozambique continues to deteriorate. The compounded effects of El Niño, above-average temperatures, extreme weather events such as Tropical Storm Filipo, excessive floods, coupled with the lasting impact of past shocks such as Tropical Cyclone Freddy, are exacerbating the situation. The 2023-2024 El Niño has been one of the strongest on record, bringing below-average rainfall between October 2023 and February 2024 in southern and central Mozambique, and average to above-average rainfall to the northern part of the country. This disruption continues to impact agriculture and rural livelihoods. Between November 2023 and February 2024, typically the rainy season in Mozambique, the southern and central regions of the country experienced persistent dryness and unusually high temperatures, and many areas received less than half of their typical rainfall. These events in turn led to deteriorating vegetation conditions and crop wilting in parts of the central provinces. (IFRC, 27 May 2024)

Affected country: Papua New Guinea
Glide: LS-2024-000080-PNG
A huge landslide occurred in the Enga province, central-northern Papua New Guinea on 23 May, resulting in casualties and widespread damage. According to DG ECHO partners, the total number of casualties remains unverified. Local media reports, as of 24 May, more than 100 fatalities across six villages (where the worst affected is the Kaokalam village) in the Porgera-Paiela district, Enga province due to the landslide occurred on very early morning, local time, of 24 May. Over the next 96 hours, more heavy rainfall with locally very heavy rainfall is forecast over the whole Papua New Guinea. (ECHO, 24 May 2024)
Landslides triggered by heavy rains struck the Tulpar community in Yambali village, Lagaip-Porgera District, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea on 24 May 2024. The area remains extremely dangerous due to ongoing land movement. Access is difficult due to a blocked highway and ongoing instability. As of 26 May 2024, authorities report the death toll has risen to five. Many are missing, and estimates suggest a possible additional 670 fatalities. The authorities of the affected area have declared a State of Emergency and requested national assistance. At least approx. 1,250 people had become displaced. (ECHO, 26 May 2024)

Affected country: Angola
Glide: DR-2024-000095-AGO
In Southern Africa, the impact of El Niño began in November 2023 and has continued into the first quarter of 2024, with high temperatures and below average rainfall reported. A record mid-season dry spell has affected vast parts of the region including, Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe ... The evolving drought crisis in Southern Africa is expected to continue to worsen already dire food insecurity levels, further driving malnutrition and spreading diseases like cholera. Reports indicate that the impact of these dry conditions in Southern Africa is likely to be long-lasting, with FEWS NET projections indicating the possibility of elevated needs for food
assistance during the lean season in early 2025. (IFRC, 14 Jun 2024)

Affected country: Namibia
Glide: DR-2024-000094-NAM
On 22 May, the Government of Namibia declared the State of Emergency following the worst drought that the country has experienced in 100 years. According to media reports, every one in five Namibians is considered food insecure. Against the backdrop of scarce rains, over 331,000 households have already registered for the government-funded drought relief programme to assist the affected communities. This programme amounts to EUR 40 million but it currently has a funding gap of EUR 25 million. At the extraordinary summit held on 20 May by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to discuss the El Niño-induced drought and floods affecting member states, the Namibian President called for assistance from SADC countries and the International Community at large to bridge the above-mentioned funding gap. (ECHO, 29 May 2024)

The Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is one of the world’s largest mass gatherings. Mass gatherings, such as Hajj or Umrah, can increase the risk for infections such as meningococcal disease.

Affected country: Belize
Glide: WF-2024-000090-BLZ
On May 16, the Toledo District Emergency Operations Centre was activated, and an emergency meeting was held with representatives of the Fire Department, the Forest Department, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, the Ministry of Transport, Belize Defense Force, Ya’axché Conservation Trust and Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE). The Ministry of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management informed that the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) had been responding to reports of wildfires affecting the village of San Pedro Columbia and adjacent communities in the Toledo District. Initial assessments were conducted, and a plan of action was created to provide immediate humanitarian support to affected families. NEMO maintained contact with the chairpersons and alcaldes of San Pedro Columbia, Crique Jute, Mafredi, and San Antonio. Aerial reconnaissance was conducted on May 17th to confirm the extent of the fire, determine the initial damage assessment, and assist in plans to contain the fire. Based on this initial assessment and as a result of the wildfires affecting the community of San Pedro Columbia and adjacent communities in the Toledo District, the Ministry of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management and the NEMO informed that a proclamation declaring a state of public emergency for the district was signed by the Governor General on May 19. On May 20, the Government of Belize halted classes in localities of the country that had been affected by forest fires and suffered heavy environmental pollution due to this cause. The Ministry of Education declared the measure for all schools in the Toledo district and considered the action necessary due to the poor air quality in that area. Several local media reports document the extent of damage the fires have caused within the Toledo District. According to two media outlets, around one hundred farmers have lost their entire farms. The fires that swept through several communities in the Toledo District have left significant losses in their wake. The fires became a threat to the communities as they threatened farms in several Maya villages, starting in San Pedro, Columbia. The Belize Defense Force’s Cadenas Outpost near Graham Creek had also been consumed by the fires. Deputy Commander of the Belize Defense Force, Colonel Anthony Velasquez said the soldiers had to abandon the post. These media reports are supported by the ongoing needs assessment being conducted by the national authorities, which states that “the main effects in the Toledo District were loss of livelihoods and crops, temporary displacement, inconvenience, and respiratory health issues. There are no reports of injury, loss of life, or missing person(s).” (IFRC, 7 Jun 2024)

Affected country: Guatemala
Glide: EP-2024-000099-GTM
Dengue continues to be the arbovirus with the highest number of reported cases in the Americas region, with outbreaks occurring on a cyclical basis every 3 to 5 years. During the year 2024 between epidemiological weeks (SE, for its acronym in Spanish) 1 and 16 of 2024, a total of 6,769,140 suspected cases of dengue were reported (cumulative incidence of 717 cases per 100,000 population). This ígure represents an increase of 206% compared with the same period in 2023 and 387% compared with the average for the last 5 years (1).
On 16 February 2024, in view of the exponential increase in dengue cases observed in the írst weeks of the year in several countries of the Region of the Americas, PAHO made an urgent appeal to Member States. The organization emphasized the need to intensify vector control measures and to maintain active surveillance, ensuring early diagnosis and timely treatment of cases (2).
On 7 March 2024, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS, for its acronym in Spanish) of Guatemala, through the Directorate of Epidemiology and Risk Management, issued an epidemiological alert for dengue (3). This alert was established to reinforce dengue control and prevention plans, based on data accumulated up to epidemiological week 7, which ended on 17 February. As of that date, a total of 6,760 cases of dengue fever had been recorded this year, of which 31 were severe cases resulting in 3 deaths. The decision to issue this alert was motivated by the beginning of the high dengue transmission season in the country. As part of this measure, speciíc epidemiological surveillance actions were reinforced, including standardized protocols for the detection, notiícation, and registration of cases in hospitals and health areas. IFRC

Affected country: Grenada
Glide: DR-2024-000079-GRD
On May 10, 2024, [...] The Government of Grenada officially declared a water crisis due to an acute shortage of water resources. Effective from May 12, 2024, stringent water usage restrictions were enforced across the island. These measures aim to curb wasteful practices and encourage responsible water management during this critical period. The declaration and ensuing water restrictions was prompted by a combination of prolonged drought conditions, insufficient rainfall, and aging water infrastructure. Collectively, this led to critically low water levels in reservoirs. The government implemented several emergency measures to manage the crisis and mitigate its impacts on the population. The 2024 water crisis in Grenada is noted as the most severe in 14 years. This crisis is marked by unprecedented low water levels, significant water rationing, and stringent restrictions on water usage for non-essential activities. The declaration highlighted the extreme nature of the drought and the urgent need for conservation and improved water management strategies to ensure the availability of safe drinking water for the island's residents. (IFRC, 24 May 2024)

Affected country: Sri Lanka
Glide: FL-2024-000077-LKA
Heavy rainfall, strong winds, thunderstorms and lightning continued to affect most of Sri Lanka since 10 May. The affected provinces are: Sabaragamuwa, Northern, Western, Southern, North Western, Central, North Central, Uva and Eastern. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reports, as of 23 May, four fatalities, ten injured people, nearly 1,000 damaged houses and a total of approximately 34,000 affected people across 18 districts throughout the aforementioned nine affected provinces. (ECHO, 23 May 2024)
Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms have been affecting almost 24 districts of Sri Lanka since 15 May, resulting in casualties and damage. The National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC) report, as of 29 May, ten fatalities, of whom four in Puttalam, two in Galle, two in Ratnapura, one in Batulla and one in Nuwara Eliya districts in western and southern Sri Lanka. Three people are still missing, 26 have been injured, and a total of 66,787 people have been affected by severe weather. In addition, 37 houses have been destroyed and 5,556 have been partially damaged. (ECHO, 30 May 2024)
Sri Lanka faces severe floods following heavy rains since Sunday, 2 June. Over 159,000 people are affected cross 13 districts. Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Ratnapura, Kegalle, and Galle are the worst hit areas. The floods have caused at least 17 deaths and five people to be missing. Over 23,700 people are displaced in 119 shelters. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with boats deployed to Gampaha. The government is coordinating relief efforts. Flood alerts are in place for Colombo and other areas. (ECHO, 4 Jun 2024)
Heavy rainfall, strong winds, thunderstorms and lightning, due to the onset of the Southwest Monsoon, continued to affect most of Sri Lanka since 1 June. The affected provinces are: Sabaragamuwa, Northen, Western, Southern, North Western and Central. Media report, as of 5 June, 26 fatalities and 41 injured people across the affected area. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) also reports, as of 4 June, one person still missing, more than 8,200 evacuated people in 123 shelters, nearly 3,400 damaged houses and a total of approximately 161,300 affected people across 13 district throughout the aforementioned six affected provinces. (ECHO, 5 Jun 2024)
According to the National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC), as of 6 June, 30 people died - seven in Ratanapura, six in Matara, and six others in Dalle District - three are still missing and 44 have been injured. Moreover, 281,144 people have been affected and more than 10,000 houses have been damaged. (ECHO, 6 Jun 2024)
Heavy rain and strong winds brought by the south-west monsoon are still impacting most parts of Sri Lanka, causing floods, landslides and severe weather-related incidents that resulted in an increasing number of casualties and damage. The National Disaster Relief Service Centre (NDRRSC) recorded, as of 6 June, 33 fatalities, seven of which in Ratnapura district, another seven in Galle district, and six in Matara district. Moreover, three people are still missing, 47 others have been injured, almost 5,000 have been evacuated in 98 evacuation centres and more than 200,000 have been affected across 23 districts across the country. (ECHO, 11 Jun 2024)
The humanitarian impact is still increasing in Sri Lanka following heavy rain and strong winds brought by the south-west monsoon since mid-May. This severe weather event is causing floods, landslides and severe weather-related incidents that resulted in casualties and damage. According to the National Disaster Relief Service Centre (NDRRSC), as of 11 June, 37 people died in ten Districts, most of them in Ratapura, Galle and Matara. Moreover, three people are still missing, 48 others have been injured, more than 8,000 have been evacuated in 122 evacuation centres and more than 235,854 have been affected across 23 districts. Furthermore, more than 16,000 houses have been damaged. (ECHO, 12 Jun 2024)