Crop failures and dried streams leave Afore villagers desperate for relief

The people of Afore in Northern Province are facing severe water and food shortages as the ongoing El Niño weather pattern dries up local water sources.

NBC News visited several communities in Afore local level government [LLG] in Ijivitari, confirmed that once fast-flowing streams have completely dried up due to the prolonged dry spell affecting the country.

Sodion Orokoro, a clan chief from Kawoki village, said villagers are now forced to walk several kilometers into the forest to access the only remaining active stream.

Chief Orokoro said accessing fresh water for cooking and drinking has become nearly impossible during the peak of the dry season. He said if the El Niño conditions persist, Afore would be facing water and food crisis.

He is calling on provincial authorities and the Ijivitari district administration to urgently intervene by supplying water tanks or facilitating bore water projects to ensure communities have access to safe drinking water.

In addition to the water crisis, Chief Orokoro reported that local food gardens have been severely impacted.

Essential staple crops including taro, German taro, sweet potato [kaukau], and yams, have withered or spoiled, rendering them unfit for human consumption.

Villagers are currently surviving on bananas and the few resilient crops left in their gardens.

However, locals warn these supplies will not last long, leaving them to hope and pray for a change in the weather pattern.

Reports detailing the severity of the situation have been formally submitted to the Northern Provincial Disaster Office and the Ijivitari District Office.

Communities are currently awaiting a response and emergency relief.