Southern Africa drought assessment, March 24-April 29, 1992

This report assesses the drought and its impacts, and presents recommendations for famine relief and mitigation at both regional and country levels. An initial section analyzes the drought from a regional perspective, noting that circumstances present donors with a unique opportunity to implement effective famine relief: the famine early warning system (FEWS) has generated enough information to develop an effective response before the critical period of hunger begins in August/September 1993; most governments have already declared emergencies and have begun taking action; and a sound regional transportation infrastructure is in place. To be effective, famine relief will require regional-level coordination by organizations such as the Southern African Development Coordination Committee, the cooperation of South Africa (whose ports and rail networks must play a key role), and the establishment of country-level emergency management and information flow units. The second, longer section presents country by country reports. Both the regional review and the country reports discuss the impacts of the drought on the economies and the ongoing structural adjustment programs in the region, as well as on the food and agriculture, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, and livestock sectors. Special attention is given to Mozambique, where the severity of the drought is already causing increased refugee flows into neighboring countries.