“People here were already facing poverty and food insecurity, but the situation was expected to improve in the coming months after a new harvest” Sajit Menon, Oxfam’s humanitarian manager in South Sudan, told The Telegraph. “But now all the crops have been destroyed by the water. Even crops that were already harvested have been drenched… it’s going to cause huge food insecurity and it will take two or three years to recover,” he said. Mr Menon added that health workers are concerned about the potential spread of malaria, cholera and diarrhea due to the high water levels, poor sanitation facilities and mass movement of people. International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said: “African nations are responsible for just 2 to 3% of global emissions, but the continent is set to be one of the worst affected by climate change. We all have a responsibility to act now. “Around 400,000 people have lost their homes to the devastating floods in South Sudan and droughts across Africa are pushing the poorest families towards dangerous levels of malnutrition. “UK aid provides emergency life-saving supplies such as food and shelter, while using cutting-edge technology to help vulnerable communities prepare for the impacts of climate change.” Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security
Cyclones, droughts and floods linked to climate change have damaged harvests in Southern Africa , leading to a hunger crisis that could affect 45 million people over 35 years , according to United Nations agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization , United Nations and the World Food Programme . “Crisis” levels of hunger already exist for 45 million people in nine countries, including Angola , Mozambique and Zimbabwe . The region is experiencing its worst droughts in the next six months . Menon , an Oxfam climate policy advisor, says that climate change has increased food insecurity in the area.