Angolans Go Hungry as Worst Drought In 40 Years Tightens Grip

The World Food Programme is warning of severe food shortages and rising hunger in Angola as the country is gripped by its worst drought in nearly four decades, writes Lisa Schlein for Voice of America. The country's rainy season, which normally runs from November to April each year, is delivering a trickle of the rainfall needed to grow a good crop and raise healthy livestock. The abnormal dryness is adversely affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the country's southwestern provinces. Drought has also brought devastation to other African countries, among them Somalia, Ethiopia, parts of Namibia, Sudan, parts of South Africa and Madagascar. Experts are calling for Africa to adopt a climate strategy as climate change impacts heavily on the continent's lack of water. Meanwhile, more than 7,000 Angolans who crossed in Namibia illegally, are currently camping at various sites in the region due to food insecurity in their country.