By Staff Reporter
Thousands of families relocated to Chingwizi following a flooding disaster in Tokwe Mukosi continue to grapple with the devastating effects of climate change.
The flooding, declared a national disaster by the then president Robert Mugabe, occurred ten years ago.
Villagers complain that the one-hectare plots of land they were given per family are too small and inadequate compensation for being removed from their ancestral land.
During a visit by the World Food Program (WFP), which was distributing food aid, villagers said the situation has been exacerbated by the El Niño-induced drought.
“Since our relocation from Tokwe Mukosi, we have been unable to raise livestock due to the limited land. With only one hectare each for both accommodation and farming, even with adequate rainfall, we would not have enough food. The current drought has forced us to rely on one meal a day,” said Worship Masimba, an affected villager.
The area, located in one of the hottest regions of the country, last received rainfall in December 2023 and lacks reliable irrigation water sources.
Precacius Chisingakuri, another villager, expressed concern about the withdrawal of donor funding after the WFP provided a final allocation that would last barely two months.
“We are facing severe hunger and urge our donors to continue providing food aid. The situation is dire, we have nothing, and we rely heavily on donor assistance,” Chisingakuri said.
