Over 16 million people in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are grappling with escalating food crises as inflation, droughts, and economic instability, deepening food insecurity across Southern Africa.

The livelihoods and well-being of women, girls, and children are especially at severe risk as access to nutritious food and essential services becomes increasingly strained.  These include far-reaching impacts on education – hunger leads to severe challenges focusing at school – and safety – women and girls must travel even further in search of clean drinking water for their families.

“The food crisis in Southern Africa is reaching unprecedented levels, leaving millions on the brink of survival,” said Patrick Sikana, CARE Southern Africa Regional Director. “Women and girls, already disproportionately impacted by hunger and economic hardship, are bearing the heaviest burden. These are not just statistics; they represent mothers, daughters, and children facing extreme adversity daily. This crisis threatens maternal and child health and perpetuates poverty and vulnerability. As the world prepares for COP29, the impacts of climate change continue to decimate and shatter families in Southern Africa”.

Zimbabwe is facing a severe food crisis, with acute food insecurity reaching IPC Phase 3 levels across the country, leaving at least 4.7 million people struggling with food insecurity.

This means that some households are not consuming enough food and have high levels of malnutrition, while others are adopting irreversible coping strategies – such as selling assets that support their livelihoods – to support a limited diet. The El Niño phenomenon, coupled with a 43% currency devaluation and soaring inflation, has caused food prices to skyrocket.

This makes it increasingly difficult for people to afford essential food items. Additionally, as water sources dry up, poor households in arid regions are struggling to sustain both livestock and crop production. The lean season is expected to continue until early 2025, leaving many families enduring prolonged hardship.

Hunger is forcing families deeper into debt and poverty, as Kudzai Marumura, a mother of three from Bikita District in southeastern Zimbabwe, explained. “We’ve been forced into debt, borrowing just to keep food on the table,” Kudzai added. “Our children are losing weight, struggling to focus, and facing hunger every day. Hunger has become our children's shadow, following them to school.”

In Malawi, the prolonged crisis due to recent El Niño-induced droughts is impacting 5.7 million people, with women and children disproportionately affected. The hardest-hit districts of Thyolo, Phalombe, Chiradzulu, and Salima are facing a severe malnutrition crisis, especially among pregnant and lactating women, children under five, and the elderly. During compounded crises, women often go hungry to feed their families, and the dropout rate for girls increases.

"Drought and food scarcity in Malawi exposes women and girls to rising risks of gender-based violence, early marriage, malnutrition, and barriers to education—yet they continue to show resilience and strength,” said Faith Phiri, Director of Gender Empowerment Network (GENET), CARE Malawi’s local partner. “Ensuring their safety, health, and rights isn't just a moral imperative; it's essential for the future of our communities.”

In Zambia, soaring food prices and drought conditions have left over 5.8 million people, 33% of the population, food insecure. Of the 94 districts analyzed, 82 are facing IPC Phase 3. In these communities, rising food prices and scarcity have worsened food insecurity, particularly for women and girls. This has led to increased risks and malnutrition, with lasting consequences for children's development and women's health.

CARE, alongside its partners, is actively responding to severe food crises across Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, but more is needed to alleviate the suffering. Despite these communities contributing the least to climate change, they are suffering the most severe consequences.

“The devastating toll of climate change on women and girls in Southern Africa cannot be overstated,” said Patrick Sikana.

Adding “We are at a critical moment for action one that calls for an immediate, compassionate response and an unwavering commitment to solutions that truly last. The humanitarian needs are urgent, and we must not delay in channeling resources, executing robust response plans, and engaging communities at every level. If we do not act quickly and deeply enough, a vicious circle of hunger, poverty, and climate change will emerge and consign entire communities to endless suffering. To build resilience that endures, we need to invest in disaster prevention, early warning systems, and climate strategies that are inclusive of all voices. Women-led organizations, deeply rooted in their communities, understand the unique, complex challenges these women and girls face and are the best hope for shaping solutions that work. Their strength, knowledge, and courage are vital to creating a fair and sustainable futureone where everyone can thrive.”

As hunger grips Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi, communities are struggling to survive the devastating impacts of climate change. Families face hunger, children go to bed hungry, and livelihoods are at risk. Urgent action is needed to provide life-saving food and build resilience in these communities.