The World Food Programme (WFP) warned it could become a "full-scale human catastrophe".
Five countries - Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe have declared national disasters over the drought and resultant hunger.
The WFP estimates some 21 million children in southern Africa are now malnourished because crops have failed.
Tens of millions of people in the region rely on small-scale agriculture that is irrigated by rain for their food and to make some money to buy provisions.
Aid agencies warned of a potential disaster late last year as the naturally occurring El Nino led to below-average rainfall across the region, while its impact has been exacerbated by warming temperatures linked to climate change.
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