Climate Emergency
More and more reports have appeared in the media about Extreme Weather Events (EWEs) all over our continent. Food and water shortages are widespread, and multiple extreme weather events are destroying lives, homes and are leaving the vulnerable at risk. It is clear we are in a climate crisis. It is difficult to see the bigger picture when extreme weather is dispersed across the African continent. Here is our monitoring of the situation.
JAN 2016
South Africa: Record Breaking Heat Wave
An extended heat wave grips South Africa, breaking many records for the region. The heat wave is followed by heavy rainfall and alerts of flooding. Read Article
MAR 2019
Cyclone Idai rips through Mozambique
One of the most devastating and severe tropical cylones destroys infrastructure and displaces hundreds of thousands of people. Read Article
APR 2019
Floods take more lives in KwaZulu-Natal
South African government steps in to help those affected by severe storms. Heavy rains have caused mudslides, taken down homes, flooded roads and left at least 32 injured, while claiming another 32 lives. Read Article
APR 2019
Mozambique: Cyclone Kenneth worse than Cyclone Idai
Cyclone Kenneth becomes strongest tropical storm on record to hit Mozambique. This is another cyclone strengthened by climate change. Read Article
OCT 2019
Zimbabwe: Over 50 elephants die from severe drought
About 55 elephants starve to death from food and water shortages following a serious drought. Animals straying from national parks in search of food and water have destroyed crops, while 22 people have been killed. Read Article
OCT 2019
Unexpected heavy floods in Gabon leaves specialists concerned
With no clear signs, Gabon has been ravaged by sudden and hard rainfall that cause floods, mudslides and soil erosion. Environmental experts wonder if this could be a consequence of climate change.Read Article
OCT 2019
Day zero looms for Johannesburg from heatwave
With very low rainfall and water wastage, dam levels drop to 60% in South Africa. The government is forced to announce water restrictions to save water supplies. Read Article
OCT 2019
Serious rainfall leave streets flooded in Tunisia
Photos and videos made the rounds on Facebook when Tunisia was covered in up to 95mm of rain. The cities came to a stand still as locals had to park their cars while others couldn’t leave their homes. Read Article
OCT 2019
Extreme drought leaves almost 2.3 million people without food
While large parts of Zambia has received their lowest rainfall in 38 years, other parts have been hit by harsh floods and waterlogging. This has resulted in poor harvests, causing food scarcity.Read Article
Two weeks of rain leaves thousands displaced
Heavy floods have left 30 000 people homeless in the Central African Republic. Community members lose faith as help is slow to arrive. Read Article
270 000 Somalians left displaced from flood
About 10 people have died after severe rainfall in Somalia left the country flooded. With another tropical storm underway, it’s predicted that a million more people will be affected. Read Article
Humanitarian efforts disrupted by floods
High rainfall has caused heavy floods in South Sudan, affecting 900 000 and leaving 420 000 displaced. Unfortunately the floods have blocked road access to aid affected communities. Read Article
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to expect more extreme weather from climate change
Expert confirms that the storms and tornadoes happening in KwaZulu-Natal are exacerbated by climate change. The South African Weather Service will evaluate the extent of damage caused. Read Article
Cars swept away by heavy floods in Kenya
Wild rains have flooded roads, buildings and fuel stations in the major cities in Kenya. Doctors have predicted an outbreak of waterborne diseases from contaminated water in blood prone areas. Read Article
Heavy rains cause landslide in West Pokot, Kenya
Widespread torrential downpours in West Pokot have killed more than 30 people. Harsh weather conditions hinder rescue efforts and damage assessments of the landslide. Read Article
Heavy rains in Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and now Madagascar
At least five Southern African countries have suffered severe droughts for months. Instead of a relief, rains in Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and now Madagascar have come as a disaster. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that this can leave more than 2.3 million people severely food insecure
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