Africa is enduring its worst climate crisis in over a decade. Between 2021 and 2025, the continent faced unprecedented weather, climate and water-related disasters. These events have caused a sharp rise in human suffering and fatalities. This period has seen more people affected and more deaths than any previous five-year span since 2011.
Scale of Impact
Between 2021 and 2025, over 221 million people in Africa were affected by natural disasters. This figure surpasses the combined totals from 2011-2015 and 2016-2020. Deaths related to these disasters reached nearly 29,000, more than three times the previous five years. Extreme weather events included droughts, floods, cyclones, landslides, cold waves and heatwaves. These recent disasters alone account for 54 per cent of those impacted across Africa since 2011.
Droughts as the Leading Hazard
Droughts were the most devastating hazard, affecting 178 million people or 81 per cent of those impacted. Floods and storms accounted for 14 per cent and 4.7 per cent respectively. The Horn of Africa suffered the worst drought in 70 years due to five failed rainy seasons in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya. Southern Africa and the Zambezi basin faced severe drought in 2024, worsened by a strong El Niño event.
Countries Most Affected
Five countries accounted for over half of all disaster-affected people – Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan. Ethiopia had the highest number with 33.1 million affected, a 17-fold rise. The DRC saw a 42-fold increase to 28.5 million people. Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan also recorded sharp rises, especially in East Africa. Southern African nations like South Africa, Malawi and Zambia reported alarming increases too.
Rising Death Toll
Disaster-related deaths have surged dramatically. From 4,684 deaths (2011-2015) to 8,106 (2016-2020), the toll jumped to 28,759 in 2021-2025. This represents 69 per cent of all deaths recorded since 2011. North Africa recorded the highest death toll due to Libya’s Derna floods in 2023, which alone caused 13,205 deaths. The DRC and Malawi also saw sharp rises in fatalities, mainly from flooding.
Institutional Challenges and Preparedness
The rising toll is not just due to extreme weather. It reflects gaps in disaster risk reduction, emergency response and climate adaptation. Many African countries rank poorly on readiness to cope with climate impacts. The ND-GAIN Index marks weak economic, governance and social systems in countries like the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Zimbabwe and the DRC. These weaknesses reduce their ability to manage and adapt to climate risks.
Future Outlook
Data up to May 2025 already shows a grim scenario. The true impact could worsen by the end of 2025. With over 221 million people affected and nearly 29,000 deaths, Africa’s vulnerability to climate extremes is increasing. Addressing institutional and infrastructural gaps is critical to reduce future losses.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss in the light of Africa’s climate crisis the challenges faced by developing countries in disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation planning.
- Critically examine the role of El Niño in influencing drought patterns in Africa and its broader implications on regional food security.
- Explain the concept of climate vulnerability and resilience. With suitable examples, discuss how governance and socio-economic factors affect these in African countries.
- Comment on the importance of international cooperation in addressing climate-induced disasters. How can global partnerships enhance disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions?
