Uruguay is grappling with a worsening drought crisis that has left 75 000 people affected across five departments and hit the agricultural sector hard.
Uruguay is currently facing a worsening drought crisis that has affected 75 000 people across five departments, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The dry spell, which has been ongoing since 2018 in several agricultural areas, has been exacerbated by a lack of rainfall in most parts of the country.
The Uruguayan Institute of Meteorology (INUMET) has forecasted that the expected rainfall from December 2022 to February 2023 will be below average.
In response to the crisis, the national government has declared a state of agricultural emergency across the entire country, effective until the end of April, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MGAP).
This ongoing drought has severe impacts on the affected communities, particularly those relying on agriculture for their livelihoods. The government and aid organizations are working to provide support and relief to those impacted by the crisis.
1 Uruguay – Drought (IFRC) – February 2, 2023