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Mail & Guardian
a day ago
- General
- Mail & Guardian
Climate crisis drives SADC food insecurity
The number of people facing severe food insecurity has increased for a sixth consecutive year, according to the latest Global Report on Food Crisis, with an estimated 15 million more people across sub-Saharan Africa that experienced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2024 than in 2023. (Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters) Last week, South Africa hosted the The number of people facing severe food insecurity has increased for a sixth consecutive year, according to the Conflict, forcible displacement, extreme weather and economic shocks continued to be the primary drivers of the deteriorating state of food insecurity on the continent. These compounding issues limit opportunities for economic development, worsen environmental degradation and disproportionately affect already vulnerable populations, pushing millions into severe levels of food insecurity. So far in 2025, ongoing insecurity across the Central Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin and Sudan, alongside high food price inflation continued to drive food insecurity across West and East Africa. In Southern Africa, extreme weather events According to the Intergovern-mental Panel on Climate Change, Southern Africa is one of the Moreover, climate-related extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and cyclones, rising temperatures, and erratic precipitation levels are becoming more prevalent and adversely More than The ripple effect of these climate-induced disruptions to agricultural security often leads to loss of incomes for communities, widespread food price volatility and heightened nutritional vulnerability. These disruptions further deepen socio-economic disparities, disproportionately affecting gender inequalities, and undermine child health outcomes. Additionally, limited resources, poor infrastructure and weak institutional capacity means many vulnerable people are not effectively equipped to respond to climate-related risks. All these climate-induced disruptions not only pose significant socioeconomic and development problems but also reshape relationships between and within communities, often making social stability more difficult to maintain. Another factor exacerbating food insecurity in the region is the low level of agricultural production and food system volatility. Agricultural productivity across SADC countries is among some of the lowest globally, highlighting the converging effects of structural constraints, limited investment and access to resilient and inclusive technologies and increasingly prevalent climate shocks. (Graphic: John McCann/M&G) These limitations hinder the region's capacity to build more resilient agriculture food systems and adequately respond to climate variability. In this way, climate variability and its effects across regional food systems remains overlooked and under prioritised despite its intensifying effect. Bridging these gaps in agricultural productivity and resilience is thus essential for achieving food security in the region, improving livelihoods and fostering inclusive economic development. Despite these growing effects of climate-related issues to food security, agricultural policy across the region remains reactive, often focusing on emergency response rather than proactive planning. The SADC In addition, the Malabo Declaration provides the direction for agricultural transformation on the continent for the period 2015-25, within the Framework of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme. Together these strategies and frameworks are intended to promote a coordinated response to and development of early-warning systems, data-driven policymaking and multi-sectoral agricultural development and enhancement of food availability, access and stability. Despite their considerations, issues with implementation persist. Underdeveloped data systems, delayed uptake and prioritisation of fragility analysis and decentralised and poor policy ownership have hindered effective implementation of these frameworks which continue to undermine productive responses in the region. Policy frameworks also remain poorly aligned with long-term resilience goals, while policy implementation is often limited by problems in regional coordination. Moreover, climate-resilient strategies often lack financial commitments toward adaptation, lack transparency and have limited accountability mechanisms. Finally, the absence of clearer frameworks and stronger regional coordination hinders the ability to consolidate adaptive funding and respond to cross-border threats. By failing to prioritise the development of resilient agricultural and food systems the SADC's current approach to climate and agricultural resilience reveals a troubling gap between acknowledgment of the risk and meaningful action. As a result, the consequences of regional inaction on climate-responsive agricultural policy are further exacerbating the already heightened climate fragility faced by the majority of member states. Addressing these problems requires transformed agricultural production systems and reinforcing climate-resilient food systems by reorienting food systems toward sustainability and inclusivity. Today's global food networks are deeply interconnected, yet often lack the agility and equity needed to cope with crisis or change. Additionally current food systems are failing to deliver on adequate nutritional outcomes, sustainability and justice. Despite progress over the past few decades, undernourishment and diet-related threats remain prevalent, while a significant portion of food that is produced is wasted. Addressing this requires both policy and technological innovation. Interventions such as In light of this, new policies must prioritise regenerative farming, promote sustainable and inclusive development in the region and support access to equitable and nutritious diets in the region. Thus, transforming agri-food systems becomes an essential need to meet the growing demand for food in the region while ensuring long-term environmental sustainability. Central to this transformation is included a shift toward sustainable land-use practices, the protection and preservation of biodiversity and soil health and the need for scalable climate-smart practices that enhances the adaptive capacity of food systems, particularly in vulnerable regions. Additionally, the need to integrate innovative, inclusive and resilient technology in the agricultural sector offers the opportunity for enhanced monitoring and evaluation frameworks and the development of robust early-warning systems to support long-term productivity and climate resilience. But, if the objectives outlined in the G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists are to be actualised in the SADC, then there must be equitable infrastructure and clear, actionable frameworks that support this progress. Crucially, these measures must prioritise the inclusion of the region's most vulnerable and at-risk populations to ensure the benefit from these advancements are both widespread and sustainable. Mischka Moosa is a data journalist at Good Governance Africa.
Egypt Today
3 days ago
- Egypt Today
Egypt continues inspection tours of sacrificial animal markets during Eid Al-Adha
File- A boy waits for customers at a cattle market in Al Manashi village, ahead of the Muslim festival of sacrifice Eid al-Adha, in Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, August 8, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany CAIRO – June 7, 2025: Inspection committees assigned by Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation continued their field visits on Saturday to markets selling sacrificial animals and meat, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure safety and raise public awareness during Eid Al-Adha celebrations. In a statement, the Ministry said that the inspections aim to verify the health of animals being sold for sacrifice and to educate citizens on selecting appropriate livestock. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, has been personally monitoring the activities of the committees, which are operated by the Ministry's Animal and Poultry Wealth Development Sector in coordination with the General Authority for Veterinary Services. Minister Farouk stressed the importance of continuous oversight of all animal markets and stalls to guarantee the safety and well-being of sacrificial animals throughout the holiday. He also emphasized the availability of technical guidance to help citizens make informed choices when purchasing animals for sacrifice. The Minister further highlighted the need to reduce random slaughtering in public streets, both to preserve environmental cleanliness and to ensure the safety and quality of the meat. He urged citizens to utilize the nearest government-operated slaughterhouses, which are offering free slaughter services throughout the Eid holiday. These facilities also conduct veterinary checks and visual inspections of livestock before slaughter. On the first day of Eid Al-Adha, a time when hundreds of thousands of Egyptians perform the ritual slaughter of livestock, Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber issued a warning against slaughtering animals in public streets and leaving behind waste. He confirmed that environmental violation reports would be filed against offenders, with fines reaching up to EGP 10,000 (approximately USD 202) for those who leave animal waste or blood in public areas. The Governor also announced that all government slaughterhouses in Cairo will remain open around the clock during the holiday to accommodate citizens' sacrificial animals free of charge.
The Star
5 days ago
- The Star
Egypt, Greece agree to protect status of Mount Sinai monastery, after court ruling
FILE PHOTO: A general view of St. Catherine's Monastery in South Sinai, Egypt, March 7, 2019. Picture taken March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo ATHENS (Reuters) -Greece and Egypt have agreed to safeguard the status of one of the world's oldest sites of Christian worship, foreign ministers of both countries said late on Wednesday, after an Egyptian court ruling last week cast uncertainty over its future. The St Catherine's Monastery, at the foot of Egypt's Mount Sinai, was founded in the 6th century and is the oldest Christian monastery still in use for its original function, says UNESCO, which has listed the area as a World Heritage site. Revered by Christians, Muslims and Jews, the monastery is at the site where by Biblical tradition Moses received the Ten Commandments. But last week, an Egyptian court ruling seen by Reuters ordered Orthodox monks to vacate several plots of land that the monks have used for years, including vineyards and gardens adjacent to the monastery compound, on the grounds that they were illegally sequestered, prompting a diplomatic flurry between Cairo and Athens over the site's status. "We agreed in the immediate future to work towards safeguarding the rights of the monastery, as well as its legal status," Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said after meeting his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty in Cairo. "Both Egypt and Greece intend to move forward based on the long-standing tradition and the already established status of an emblematic monastery for its Greek Orthodox character of worship". Abdelatty said that the ruling preserves the monastery's profound spiritual value and religious standing, and confirmed that the monks would continue to have access to and use of the monastery and its religious and historical sites, according to a foreign ministry statement. With a long history of diplomatic ties, Greece and Egypt have deepened cooperation in recent years. St Catherine's is a sprawling complex, and according to tradition it was built around a burning bush where God was said to have spoken to Moses as described in the Book of Exodus. Its library is one of the most extensive worldwide, containing some of the world's earliest Christian manuscripts. (Reporting by Renee Maltezou, Mohamed Ezz and Michele Kambas, Editing by William Maclean)
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Egypt, Greece agree to protect status of Mount Sinai monastery, after court ruling
FILE PHOTO: Librarian, Father Justin of Sinai, turns pages of a manuscript in the library of St. Catherine's Monastery in South Sinai, Egypt, March 6, 2019. Picture taken March 6, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo FILE PHOTO: Librarian, Father Justin of Sinai, walks inside the library of St. Catherine's Monastery in South Sinai, Egypt, March 6, 2019. Picture taken March 6, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo ATHENS - Greece and Egypt have agreed to safeguard the status of one of the world's oldest sites of Christian worship, foreign ministers of both countries said late on Wednesday, after an Egyptian court ruling last week cast uncertainty over its future. The St Catherine's Monastery, at the foot of Egypt's Mount Sinai, was founded in the 6th century and is the oldest Christian monastery still in use for its original function, says UNESCO, which has listed the area as a World Heritage site. Revered by Christians, Muslims and Jews, the monastery is at the site where by Biblical tradition Moses received the Ten Commandments. But last week, an Egyptian court ruling seen by Reuters ordered Orthodox monks to vacate several plots of land that the monks have used for years, including vineyards and gardens adjacent to the monastery compound, on the grounds that they were illegally sequestered, prompting a diplomatic flurry between Cairo and Athens over the site's status. "We agreed in the immediate future to work towards safeguarding the rights of the monastery, as well as its legal status," Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said after meeting his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty in Cairo. "Both Egypt and Greece intend to move forward based on the long-standing tradition and the already established status of an emblematic monastery for its Greek Orthodox character of worship". Abdelatty said that the ruling preserves the monastery's profound spiritual value and religious standing, and confirmed that the monks would continue to have access to and use of the monastery and its religious and historical sites, according to a foreign ministry statement. With a long history of diplomatic ties, Greece and Egypt have deepened cooperation in recent years. St Catherine's is a sprawling complex, and according to tradition it was built around a burning bush where God was said to have spoken to Moses as described in the Book of Exodus. Its library is one of the most extensive worldwide, containing some of the world's earliest Christian manuscripts. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Sundowns look to shake off chokers tag in CAF Champions League final
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - CAF Champions League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Al Ahly v Mamelodi Sundowns - Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt - April 25, 2025 General view during the match REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo PRETORIA (Reuters) - South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns will be hot favourites to win a second CAF Champions League title when they face Pyramids in the two-leg final but the Cairo side have proven themselves no pushovers after shaking up a duopoly in Egyptian football. Pretoria-based Sundowns, who won the continental title in 2016, host Saturday's first leg at Loftus Versfeld before travelling to Cairo for the return on June 1. The South Africans are frequent visitors to the business end of the tournament, reaching at least the quarter-finals in seven of the last eight editions. But while they have an impressive pedigree, striding through the group stages in previous editions and even setting a record for the number of points attained in the process, they have developed a reputation for wilting under the pressure of the knockout rounds. They looked to be going out in the semi-finals for a third successive season last month when a last-minute own goal handed them a 1-1 draw at holders Al Ahly of Egypt and allowed them to advance to the final on the away goals rule. Coached by Portuguese Miguel Cardoso, Sundowns are owned by the family of Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe, one of the richest men in Africa. Motsepe has pumped money into the club and given them resources far exceeding those of almost all their rivals. Last week they secured a record-extending eighth successive South African Premiership title and next month head to the Club World Cup with a squad strengthened by signings from Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Pyramids have emerged from the shadows of Egypt's two major clubs, Al Ahly and Zamalek, having only been formed in 2008 and then moving to Cairo a decade later after being taken over by Saudi investors. The club now have United Arab Emirates ownership and were given the financial might to compete with Al Ahly and Zamalek for Egypt's top talent, as well as buying players from elsewhere in Africa to bolster their squad. They are competing in the Champions League final for the first time, having reached the title match at only the second attempt. Pyramids are also in the hunt for a first Egyptian league title and will play in the country's cup final against Zamalek on June 5. (Reporting by Mark Gleeson, Editing by Peter Rutherford)
