SADC launches US$5.5 billion drought, floods appeal

SADC today launched a US$5.5 billion regional humanitarian appeal to address the impacts of the El Niño-induced drought and floods in the region.

At least 61 million people in the region have been affected by the El Niño-induced drought and floods.

The Chairperson of SADC João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço launched the appeal aimed at augmenting domestic resources of the affected Member States, including efforts for resource mobilisation from national, regional, and international partners in response to the impact of El Niño induced drought and floods. 

He appealed to the international community, the private sector, and individuals of goodwill to assist in meeting the needs of the affected populations. 

As part of the support towards the Regional Humanitarian Appeal, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has pledged US$33 million, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has pledged an amount of US$10 million.

The SADC Regional Humanitarian Appeal was developed with support and collaboration of SADC’s cooperating partners which include FAO, OCHA, World Food Program (WFP) and other regional and international humanitarian agencies.