IFRC unveils emergency support to drought-affected SADC countries

The International Federation of Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal seeking 7.7 million Swiss francs to enable it support four Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states severely affected by drought.

The International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) cited in a report recently that it intends to deliver assistance to 81,000 people or 16,200 households affected by a worsening drought over the next few months in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini, APA News reported. "The planned response reflects the current situation and information available at this time of the operation," the humanitarian organization said in the report.

The four countries – Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini – were selected bearing in mind that Red Cross Red Crescent network has ongoing operations in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, which are also facing food insecurity. According to the report, these four countries would expand the federation network humanitarian response to eight countries in southern Africa.

"In consultations with the respective National Societies and in-country partners, the areas selected are where other non-Red Cross Red Crescent partners are not operational," the report added.