A World Food Programme (WFP) report says that a severe drought is increasingly occurring in the south of Mozambique and that agricultural activities are being hampered. Since February the drought has been spreading from Maputo (south) to Sofala and Manica (center).

The scenario contrasts with the situation in the center and north of the country, where cyclones have devastated fields and infrastructure, worsening the population's poverty situation and humanitarian needs.

The report predicted that the drought would prevail in March, which it did, with the country entering from April onwards what is naturally the driest season, with no relevant rainfall until October, so no improvement is in sight.

The drought is expected to have "serious impacts on crop production for the provinces of Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica and Sofala," warned the document, quoted by rtp.

Any downturn in agricultural activity in Mozambique has the potential to cause food insecurity, since most of the population lives off what they grow.

This drought scenario had already started in 2021 and even threatened the north and center of the country.

"The first part of the 2021/22 season" of the rainy season was the "driest or second driest period since 1981," depending on the regions.

Except that while the rain, which fell starting in January, allowed crops to recover in the up-country areas, or at least in the areas that escaped the fury of Storm Ana and Cyclone Gombe, in the south this did not happen.

"The most likely scenario is one of severe impacts on corn production, leading to crop insufficiency and minimal production in many areas," he concluded.

According to WFP data, 80% of Mozambique's population of 30 million cannot afford to buy food to have adequate nutrition. A total of 42% of the children are undernourished.

Food insecurity affects 24% of Mozambican families chronically and 25% experience the situation at least once a year.