Fifty-seven percent of Mat North population to face food insecurity in 2025: ZimLAC Report

MATABELELAND North province is expected to experience significant food insecurity in the peak hunger period from January to March 2025, with 57 percent of the population, equivalent to 427 389 individuals, projected to require assistance.

According to the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLac) 2024 report, these individuals will need 15 813 metric tonnes of cereal (maize grain) from the National Strategic Grain Reserves.

Umguza District will be the hardest hit, with 68 percent of its population anticipated to be food insecure, followed by Binga at 63 percent and Tsholotsho at 62 percent. Nkayi will see 60 percent of its population in need of food, Lupane 48 percent, Hwange 45 percent and Bubi 38 percent.

The 2025 figures mark the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the province since 2020, when 62 percent of the population faced hunger.
While the percentage decreased to 43 percent in 2021, it surged again to 58 percent in 2022 and 42 percent of households required food aid last year.

Matabeleland North provincial deputy director in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mrs Gloria Raundi, expressed concern over the growing hunger crisis but assured that the Government is taking steps to prevent starvation.

“The assessment report shows a worrying picture for the province, with a large number of people needing food aid. However, we are working with various partners and a food distribution programme is already underway,” she said.

Government efforts to address the food deficit are part of a broader strategy to ensure food security, particularly in the face of the El Niño-induced drought that has impacted many countries.

The aim is to leave no one and no place without access to food during this challenging period.

The ZimLac report also noted that 25 percent of school-going children in Matabeleland North are not attending school due to reasons such as financial difficulties, early marriage, pregnancy, or being deemed too young.

This is the second-highest rate in the country after Mashonaland West (25,8 percent), with Matabeleland South following closely behind at 25,1 percent. Masvingo province has the lowest percentage of out-of-school children at 19,5 percent, while the national average stands at 22,3 percent.

ZimLac is a consortium comprising Government agencies, development partners, United Nations (UN) agencies, NGOs, technical agencies and academic institutions.

Established in 2002 and led by Government, ZimLac is chaired by the Food and Nutrition Council (FNC), which operates under the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC). Its mission is to promote a multi-sectoral response to food insecurity and nutrition challenges, ensuring that every citizen is free from hunger and malnutrition.