CITY, Country — As Southern Africa transitions from large-scale flood response to recovery during the second quarter of 2026, the region faces a complex tapestry of humanitarian needs. While Mozambique remains an exception due to ongoing conflict, the impacts of tropical cyclones and widespread flooding have begun to wane, with localized flooding persisting in Eswatini.
However, chronic challenges such as food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and malnutrition persist, affecting millions. Food security has seen modest improvements, driven by above-average rainfall and seasonal harvests. Yet, 13.
3 million people continue to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse conditions, largely due to the lingering effects of the 2023/24 drought, poor harvests, and high food prices. Madagascar, Malawi, and Zambia are among the countries experiencing the most severe acute food insecurity, while Angola, Madagascar, and Mozambique grapple with acute malnutrition, a consequence of prolonged drought, food insecurity, and disease. Throughout the second quarter, disease outbreaks remained a significant concern, with cholera affecting several countries and mpox transmission persisting across Angola, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo also poses a significant regional risk. Refugee and asylum-seeker numbers have remained stable, suggesting no significant increase in regional displacement.
However, the high humanitarian needs are driven by protracted vulnerabilities rather than new large — scale shocks. With an elevated risk of drought expected during the 2026–2027 rainy season due to the developing El Niño, governments, regional bodies, and humanitarian partners are enhancing preparedness and anticipatory action, particularly in Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Life-saving assistance and early recovery efforts continue amidst these challenges.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
