The district of Massingir, in Gaza province, is on alert because of the El-Niño climate phenomenon, the effects of which are predicted for the current rainy season.

The local administrator, Esmeralda Muthemba, quoted by Terra magazine, spoke of the level of readiness to respond to the imminent phenomenon.

"We're on high alert. As you know, Massingir is a district that has suffered greatly from climate change in recent years, with almost always little rainfall," she said.

Agriculture and livestock are the most visible aspects of El Niño's impact. After an agricultural season that, according to data from the district administration, saw more than 100 tons of various crops, especially maize, the weather forecasts raise concerns about food security in the coming months, which is why Esmeralda Muthemba believes that measures are being taken to raise awareness among the communities in order to maintain their surpluses.

"We are raising awareness so that the produce that has already been harvested, mainly cereals, is only for consumption and not for sale, precisely because the rain is going to be scarce," she said.

"Naturally, when this time comes, the tendency of the communities is to sell a good part of their surpluses, because they know that we're going to have new sowings and new harvests. But because of this El Niño situation, we're raising awareness so that they don't sell," he said.

Despite the measures underway, the Massingir government says there are at least five communities in a critical situation that deserve close attention.

"Part of the population of the main post is going to suffer a lot because it is located along the Massingir-Chókwè road, where no river flows and agriculture depends exclusively on the rain."

"With this forecast of a lack of rain, we are expecting a lot of suffering. Even now, it's the population that worries us, because they've already started to suffer from food shortages and, as well as food, we have to provide them with water for consumption, because they only live on rainwater," he said.