USAID, WFP join Govt in mitigating food shortages

THE United States Agency for International Development (USAid) has availed US$11,7 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) to help the country mitigate acute food shortages in drought-prone areas across the country.

The intervention comes at a time when Zimbabwe and the rest of Southern Africa are grappling with the adverse effects of the El Nino season, a natural climate phenomenon in which surface waters of the central and eastern Pacific become unusually warm, causing changes in global weather patterns.

Reduced rains this season are expected to affect crop yields during the 2023/24 farming season.

In a statement, USAid mission director, Janean Davis, said the donation was part of its efforts to ensure that thousands of vulnerable people in Mwenezi, Mangwe, Chivi, and Buhera districts receive critical food assistance during the drought.

“USAid is committed to continue to strengthen community resilience and accelerate sustainable development, which empowers less privileged community members to better cope with the looming drought caused by the El Nino climate pattern,” she said.

“WFP in Zimbabwe seeks to ensure that approximately 230 000 of the most vulnerable people in Mwenezi, Mangwe, Chivi and Buhera districts will receive critical food assistance during the January to March 2024 lean season.”

According to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) report, 26 percent of the rural population will not have enough cereal for consumption and need over 100 000 tonnes of grain during the peak period.

“In addition, the predicted El Niño weather phenomenon during the 2023 to 2024 rainfall season indicates below-normal rainfall and high temperatures, which could lead to low production and further increase food insecurity,” said Davis.

She said the funding will enable WFP to complement the Government-led Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy Programme, which will assist 2,7 million people in all districts across Zimbabwe.

“It will also help mitigate household food stock depletion, minimise negative coping mechanisms preventing the most vulnerable people from falling deeper into food insecurity,” said Davis.

WFP Zimbabwe representative and country director Francesca Erdelmann said the aim is to ensure that everyone in the country has access to nutritious foods and can consume the recommended amounts.

“The assistance we are acknowledging, which includes cereals, pulses and fortified vegetable oil, is an important contribution to help the most vulnerable people in rural areas to meet their nutritional needs.

“I would like to thank USAid for their significant contribution, which undoubtedly saves lives,” said Erdelmann.
Chief Bango from Mangwe District, whose district is set to benefit from the donation said he is highly appreciative of the gesture.

“We are in the middle of a drought and its severity has been shown by the deaths of our livestock. As it is there are many villagers who have no draught power,” he said.

“Many people did not plough their fields because of the lack of rains and are only rushing to do so now as the rains are pouring but it is now late,” said Chief Bango.

He urged villagers not to panic as the Government in partnership with various food aid organisations had set in motion plans to alleviate the situation.

“People are planting now because they are panicking but they must be assured that there is aid and that the rains will not last until the time of harvest comes.

“We really need the assistance and we have faith that our Government and other organisations will come to our rescue,” Chief Bango said.