By Staff Reporter
THE United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Zimbabwe has launched an emergency project in response to the ongoing El Nino drought following food aid appeals from hunger stricken Zimbabweans.
The aid comes at a time when villagers in Matebeleland South, Mangwe district have been desperately appealing for food aid after USAID and the World Food Programme concluded their lean season food aid distribution in March.
Currently, USAID, in partnership with WFP, has assisted over 230,000 people from the most drought-vulnerable districts which include Mwenezi, Mangwe, Chivi, and Buhera.
In a statement, USAID said the emergency project aims to offer food aid, skill development, resources, and support to restore dams, natural environment and decrease reliance on humanitarian aid for over 13 000 people in Gwanda and Mangwe districts.
“In response to El Nino, USAID and Catholic Relief have launched an emergency project -Zwitile- to provide over 13,400 people in Gwanda and Mangwe with food, skills, resources and support to rehabilitate dams, restore the natural landscape and reduce dependency on humanitarian assistance.
Matebeleland South is one of the areas hardest hit by the ongoing El Niño-induced drought being faced by Zimbabwe and other Southern African countries.
The district last received rainfall on 14 December 2023 and there have been no harvests at all.
Meanwhile according to the government, 7.7 million Zimbabweans are in dire need of food assistance.
