South Africa experienced a severe drought in 1982/1983. In July 1983 certain rural communities were identified which had recorded the most severe drought. Children were selected at random from these areas and compared against controls with regard to their respective weights and heights. On the basis of the predetermined sample sizes employed, no significant difference between the groups could be demonstrated. When compared with certain urban children attending crèches in Pretoria, there was also no significant difference. It is concluded that in July 1983 no crisis as regards the prevalence of acute malnutrition in children aged 1-5 years existed in the communities tested.