THE impact of the drought conditions experienced across the SADC region did not spare livestock as estimates indicate that close to 643 000 drought related deaths were recorded in seven SADC member states.
Highly affected countries include Swaziland, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The livestock in these countries died as a result of inadequate grazing and lack of drinking water.
As a result of the drought, the SADC Secretariat has established the SADC El Nino Logistical and Coordination Team as per the directive of the SADC Council of Ministers of March 15, which took place in Gaborone, Botswana.
The team is responsible for the coordination of a regional response to the impacts of the 2015/16 El Nino across the region in close collaboration with member states.
The team comprises staff from the SADC Secretariat and United Nations Agencies such as the World Food Programme, the office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the United Nations Children’s Fund.
Nyirenda said the SADC El Nino Logistical and Coordination Team was responsible for the production of the Regional Humanitarian Appeal Document, which was launched in Botswana last month by President Lt. General Dr. Ian Khama.
