Within weeks, one journalist witnessed two devastating climate crises across Africa, traveling from drought-ravaged Kenya to flood-submerged Mozambique in a stark illustration of how climate change delivers contrasting catastrophes to the continent.
In Kenya's Mandera County along the Somalia border, severe drought conditions dominated the landscape. Dry riverbeds, emaciated livestock, and communal graveyards where dead animals were burned painted a bleak picture. A local chief explained that 'our animals started dying in July last year, and they are still dying.'
Communities received water deliveries only once or twice weekly, with limited supply shared between humans and livestock. One pastoralist reported losing 80 of 100 animals to the prolonged drought, representing the destruction of generational wealth and livelihood in pastoral communities where livestock constitutes the primary economic asset.
Days later, the same reporter witnessed massive flooding across southern Africa. In Mozambique's capital Maputo, entire neighborhoods sat submerged. Along highways near Marracuene, toll gates and road signs disappeared under meters of water. In Xai Xai city, agricultural land and business districts remained underwater.
A boat captain estimated residents would remain displaced for 45 days to two months as waters slowly recede. Authorities in South Africa warned of potential additional flooding as dams released water downstream into already-flooded Mozambique, illustrating how climate impacts cascade across borders.
These contrasting catastrophes—devastating drought and catastrophic flooding occurring simultaneously in neighboring regions—exemplify climate change's unpredictable and severe impacts on Africa. The continent contributes minimally to global emissions yet faces disproportionate consequences, lacking infrastructure and resources to adequately respond to escalating climate disasters.