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Country analysis

Angola


Southern Angola is facing a severe food crisis resulting from the impact of drought on agriculture and livelihoods (particularly between November 2020 and January 2021). Below-average rainfall from 2018 until the 2020–2021 rainy season (typically from November–April) contributed to the worst drought (in terms of impact on livelihoods) recorded in the country since 1981.

In December 2024, an estimated 2.2 million people required humanitarian assistance owing to the impacts of an El Niño-induced drought. The lack of rainfall resulted in widespread crop failures and substantial livestock losses. This is a major concern for the population, as many rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. The prolonged drought has led to poor harvests and diminished livelihoods. Food insecurity and malnutrition continue to pose significant public health challenges. These issues are mainly driven by poverty, limited dietary diversity, inadequate sanitation and hygiene, and gender disparities.

The economic landscape worsens these issues, with the annual inflation rate reaching 27.5% in December 2024. Factors such as the removal of fuel subsidies and currency depreciation escalate living costs, further limiting access to essential goods and services.

(WFP 21/01/2025, OCHA 14/01/2025, CARE 15/01/2025).

Southern Angola is facing a severe food crisis resulting from the impact of drought on agriculture and livelihoods (particularly between November 2020 and January 2021). Below-average rainfall from 2018 until the 2020–2021 rainy season (typically from November–April) contributed to the worst drought (in terms of impact on livelihoods) recorded in the country since 1981.

In December 2024, an estimated 2.2 million people required humanitarian assistance owing to the impacts of an El Niño-induced drought. The lack of rainfall resulted in widespread crop failures and substantial livestock losses. This is a major concern for the population, as many rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. The prolonged drought has led to poor harvests and diminished livelihoods. Food insecurity and malnutrition continue to pose significant public health challenges. These issues are mainly driven by poverty, limited dietary diversity, inadequate sanitation and hygiene, and gender disparities.

The economic landscape worsens these issues, with the annual inflation rate reaching 27.5% in December 2024. Factors such as the removal of fuel subsidies and currency depreciation escalate living costs, further limiting access to essential goods and services.

(WFP 21/01/2025, OCHA 14/01/2025, CARE 15/01/2025).

Latest updates on country situation

05 May 2025

Angola recorded its first cholera case for 2025 on 7 January. Since then, the outbreak has spread to 17 of its 21 provinces, with 17,200 cases and 566 deaths by 1 May. Benguela experienced the steepest increase in April, with close to 3,000 new cases. Lack of access to clean water, flooding, and a limited response continue to hinder containment. (UNICEF 30/04/2025, Africa CDC et al. 01/05/2025, MINSA 28/04/2025)

24 September 2024

In 2024, southern Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years as a result of El Niño. Approximately 61 million people need assistance, with over 20 million experiencing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) food insecurity levels. Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have declared a state of emergency in response to the severe drought. There has also been a significant increase in malnutrition cases in Angola, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, with expectations for the trend to continue into the first quarter of 2025. (OCHA 20/09/2024, OCHA 19/09/2024)

current crises
in Angola


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

AGO002 - Drought in South-West Angola

Last updated 30/04/2025


Drivers

Drought/drier conditions

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.1 High

Access constraints

1.0