By Staff Reporter
HUNGER stricken Zimbabwe has launched a US$3.3 billion food aid appeal to provide sustenance for approximately 9 million individuals in need of food assistance until March 2025.
Initially the count of food-insecure individuals was 7.7 million across both urban and rural regions, necessitating $2.2 billion in aid.
However, Minister of Local Government Daniel Garwe disclosed an uptick in these figures.
Government then unveiled a joint flash appeal with the United Nations totaling $429.3 million to address the needs of nearly 3.1 million people.
“Preliminary indications are that an estimated 9 million people will be food insecure and require food assistance until March 2025. This figure covers both the urban and rural population. It is critical therefore to support these vulnerable households along with those directly affected by the drought.
“This Appeal provides all sector requirements that the Government and partners ought to prioritise. In response to the El Nino drought, the Government has prioritized the following intervention strategies among others.
“The Humanitarian Appeal focuses on immediate needs, recovery and resilience building of the affected populace”, said Garwe.
The nation is grappling with an El Nino induced drought which has since been declared a national disaster.
Garwe added, “In this stride, there is a moral obligation and an urgency for the international community to lend a hand for life-saving support to those most in need. We are thankful to the development and humanitarian partners for their generous support to date. Overall estimated requirements for interventions by all sectors of the economy is staggered at US$3.3 billion”.
UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Zimbabwe Edward Kallon, said the livestock is also likely to be affected in the coming winter season.
“The impacts of El Niño have negatively affected local production, with estimates of a 52 per cent shortfall. Zimbabwe’s crop production was negatively affected with 40 percent of maize crops classified as ‘poor’, and 60 percent as a write-off’. As cattle herds converge in search of forage and water, livestock diseases have increased.
“The livestock sector risks being seriously affected, in the coming winter season between June and October, due to very poor pasture quality and lack of drinking water. To respond to this situation, this Flash Appeal requires US$429.3 million for humanitarian partners to assist close to 3.1 million people.
“The appeal aims to mobilize humanitarian action to complement the government’s relief efforts”, said Kallon.
