Southern Africa is enduring its worst hunger crisis in decades due to El Niño, the UN says

CapeTown, South Africa: Months of drought in southern Africa triggered by the El Ni o weather phenomenon have had a devastating impact on more than 27...

Cape Town, South Africa: Months of drought in southern Africa triggered by the El Niño weather phenomenon have had a devastating impact on more than 27 million people and caused the region's worst hunger crisis in decades, the United Nations' food agency said Tuesday.

The World Food Program warned it could become a "full-scale human catastrophe.”

Five countries - Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe - have declared national disasters over the drought and resultant hunger.

The WFP estimates that about 21 million children in southern Africa are now malnourished as crops have failed.

Tens of millions in the region rely on small-scale agriculture that is irrigated by rain for their food and to make money to buy provisions.