Severe drought in Botswana sparks concerns over food shortage

Botswana is grappling with a severe drought, raising fears of food shortages as farmers anticipate their most dismal yields and livestock losses in decades.

A Southern Africa Seasonal Monitor report by the the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in February reveals that Botswana experienced its driest February in 40 years, exacerbating the strain on agricultural practices in this semi-arid country.

The drought, which has affected other southern African nations as well, wiped out crops and pushed up already high food prices. Experts warn that the situation is reaching crisis proportions, prompting the WFP to sound the alarm.

In the Central District of Botswana, particularly in the village of Gabojango, villagers are among those bearing the brunt of the drought's impact.

Boatametse Modukanele, permanent secretary of Botswana's Ministry of Environment and Tourism, commented on the challenges faced by a water-scarce country.

"We had prolonged days of extreme heat conditions and this has been really hard on us, because we are really a water-scarce country," said Modukanele.

As a resident of Gabojango who relies on farming for survival, Rakana Marabalala expressed concerns about the prolonged drought.

"I'm in the fields, this is what I and my family do every day, tend to the fields. That's because this is how we survive, how we make our food. We are worried that if the drought lasts long, it's going to be extremely difficult for many of us in the village," said Marabalala.

The drought's devastating effects extend beyond Botswana, with neighboring countries such as Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe declaring a state of emergency due to the dire situation. The primary cause behind this crisis is the dryness induced by the El Nino phenomenon.

Aid agencies, including the United Nations Children's Fund, estimate that up to 20 million people in the region will require food assistance in the coming months.

Severe drought in Botswana sparks concerns over food shortage

Severe drought in Botswana sparks concerns over food shortage

Severe drought in Botswana sparks concerns over food shortage

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to visit Kazakhstan and Tajikistan to enhance diplomatic relations and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

At the invitation of Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, and Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will attend the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and pay official visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan from May 18 to 21.

"Kazakhstan and Tajikistan are China's friendly neighbors and important partners in the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping, (Kazakh) President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and (Tajik) President Emomali Rahmon, China's bilateral relations with the two countries have maintained high-level development, and the bilateral efforts are under way to build a community with a shared future," Wang noted.

"During the visit, Wang will meet with leaders of the two countries, hold talks with their foreign ministers, and exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common interest concerning international and regional matters," said the spokesman.

"China believes that this visit will fully implement the consensus reached by President Xi Jinping with the heads of state of the two countries, deepen cooperation in various fields, promote cooperation on the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and make new contributions to maintaining peace, stability, and development in the region," Wang said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit Kazakhstan, Tajikistan