In a growing humanitarian crisis, the Zimbabwean government has revealed that nearly nine million people are food insecure and will require assistance until March 2025. This announcement comes as the United Nations (UN) responds to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s appeal for US$3.3 million in aid after declaring the El Niño-induced drought a state of national disaster.
The UN is mobilizing US$429.3 million for humanitarian assistance, aiming to address the escalating needs of the population. At least 13% of this aid is designated for various critical programs, including school feeding initiatives, assistance for labor-constrained households, food and cash for assets, and irrigation development. Additionally, the funding will support resilient agricultural infrastructure, community livelihood projects, and agricultural mechanization for medium and large-scale farmers.
Speaking at the food aid signing ceremony with the UN in Harare, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe disclosed that 35% of the urban population is food insecure. “The 2024 Zimbabwe Livelihood Assessment Committee Rural Livelihoods Assessment is underway to estimate the food insecure population. The Urban Livelihood Assessment was completed, approved by Cabinet, and disseminated with 35% of the urban population being food insecure,” Garwe stated.
Preliminary indications suggest that an estimated nine million people, encompassing both urban and rural areas, will face food insecurity and require assistance until March 2025. “It is critical to support these vulnerable households along with those directly affected by the drought,” Garwe emphasized.
UN Resident Coordinator Edward Kallon warned that the livestock sector is at significant risk in the coming months, from June to October, due to poor pasture quality and lack of drinking water. “Since December 2023, long dry spells and high temperatures, coupled with poor rainfall performance, have negatively impacted crop and livestock production,” Kallon explained.
Estimates for the 2023/24 crop season indicate a severe shortfall in maize production, with only 700,000 metric tonnes (MT) harvested out of an annual requirement of 2.2 million MT. Over 1.4 million cattle are at risk of deteriorating health or starvation due to lack of food, pasture, and water. The impacts of El Niño have resulted in a 52% shortfall in local production, as highlighted by the Crop, Livestock, and Fisheries Assessment Report from the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Ministry.
The report classified 40% of the maize crop as “poor” and 60% as “a write-off.” As cattle herds converge in search of forage and water, livestock diseases have increased. To address this dire situation, the Flash Appeal requires US$429.3 million to assist nearly 3.1 million people. The appeal aims to mobilize humanitarian aid to complement the government’s relief efforts.
“In issuing this appeal, we are conscious that humanitarian assistance is not a long-term solution to the recurrent climatic shocks that continue to increase in frequency and intensity in Zimbabwe and across the southern Africa region,” Kallon noted. “With the global climate crisis impacting Zimbabwe, intensive efforts are required to ensure that people across the country can withstand the growing climatic shocks, as well as to tackle inequality and poverty, as highlighted in the country’s National Resilience Strategy.”
The UN has also called on other international humanitarian organizations to assist Zimbabwe and other countries affected by the El Niño-induced drought. “We, therefore, call on the international community to show solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe at this extremely challenging time and to stand with us as we step up our response to this devastating event,” Kallon urged. “We appeal for the international community’s continued generous support to ensure that communities severely impacted by El Niño can cope and recover from it and engage in transformative change.”
As the situation worsens, the need for coordinated international aid and effective local measures becomes ever more critical. The government’s efforts, supported by the UN and other international bodies, aim to mitigate the impact of the drought and build resilience against future climatic shocks. However, the road to recovery is long, and sustained efforts will be essential to secure the livelihoods of millions of Zimbabweans facing this unprecedented crisis.
Source: Newsday
