Dried Up

Mexican Drought Impacts Millions

Environment – Mexico is facing its worst drought in 71 years, a drought so severe it is impacting 2.5 million Mexicans. The implications of this drought, including the possibility of years of food shortage, are terribly severe.

The drought crosses over half of Mexico and has brought on the attention of Mexico’s government, along with World Vision and the Red Cross. These groups have organized food drives, provided water, and established temporary jobs.

Many fear that if there is a delay or absence of the typical spring rainy season, many of the people living in the affected areas could be unable to “feed their families for another two years.” Though this could be eased or largely repaired by a healthy rainy season, the economic impact is already growing.

As crop yield diminishes, up swings the price for staple items. The drives have provided a lot, including 432 million liters of water and 360,000 food packages, but the economic impact in the area could be far reaching. There’s also no way yet to determine how much the government and aid organizations can afford to support the affected people.

Read more at the Christian Science Monitor.