the 2018–19 southern africa drought is an ongoing period of drought taking place in southern africa. the drought began in late october 2018, and is negatively affecting food security in the region. as of mid-august 2019, the drought is classified as a level 2 red-class event by the global disaster alert and coordination system. the alert level was reduced to the orange-1.7 by december 2019, as the new wet season had started. as of january 2020, the drought is classified as a level 2 red-class event.