Recent ECHO missions to Zimbabwe, Malawi and Lesotho have confirmed the critical regional food security situation that has been compromised by erratic 2014/2015 rainfall and early cessation of rains. According to the Vulnerability Assessment 2015 report, the aggregate regional maize shortfall amounts to 6.5 million MT.
In Zimbabwe and Malawi that are expected to be particularly affected, some 4.2 million people are projected being food insecure during the lean season (November 2015 - April 2016). Other aggravating factors may exacerbate the food insecurity, like floods, cholera outbreaks, foot and mouth disease outbreaks, reduction of remittances from migrants in South Africa.
In the following months close monitoring of the overall food security situation in the region is required, giving a particular attention to macro-economic figures, like market price during the lean season, inflation and cross-border trade.