Urgency needed in tackling Zim’s humanitarian crisis
2024, at least 7.7 million people will require humanitarian assistance in Zimbabwe as a result of the effects of El Niño.
Climate-related events, mainly drought, have aggravated humanitarian needs, such as food and water.
Drought and aridity in Zimbabwe have also severely affected food production and resulted in food insecurity.
Consequent water scarcity and diseases such as cholera, are straining health resources and disrupting livelihoods, particularly in agriculture and related sectors.
High inflation, currency devaluation, high dependence on lowproductivity agriculture, and climate shocks, including recurrent droughts and floods, are driving persistent poverty and food insecurity in the country.
The Assessment Capacities Project report says Zimbabwe’s annual blended inflation has been steadily increasing since October 2023; the rate rose from 47.6% in February 2024 to 55.3% in March.
Consumer prices rose by 4.9% in March 2024 month-on-month compared to 5.4% in February 2023.
According to the 2023 multidimensional poverty index, the average deprivation score among people living in multidimensional poverty in Zimbabwe was 42.6% of the total population.
More than half of the population in Zimbabwe is employed in the agriculture sector, which contributes only approximately 7% to the country’s GDP.
Last week the government admitted that the El Niño-induced drought currently ravaging southern Africa caught it off guard.
The El Niño-induced drought has affected the southern African region where some countries have banned maize exports.
President Emmerson Mnangwa declared the drought a state of national disaster with the government seeking to raise US$2 billion to feed more seven million food insecure citizens.
Food security is severely compromised in drought-affected regions.
Limited access to water for irrigation and livestock, coupled with poor harvests, leads to reduced food production. This, in turn, drives up food prices, making it unaffordable for many vulnerable households.
Malnutrition rates rise, especially among children, exacerbating long-term health issues and hindering their overall development.
Women and children are disproportionately affected by drought and food insecurity.
Women, who often bear the responsibility of providing food for their families, face increased workloads as they travel longer distances in search of water and food.
Children, especially girls, are more likely to drop out of school to help their families cope with the crisis, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and limited opportunities.
A documentary by Onias Chifakiso revealed that the El Niño drought's grip on Zimbabwe tightened, pushing Women in Makonde west and Hurungwe east towards a harsh reality working as miners during their school holidays along the Sanyati river and chirariro.
This drastic measure highlights the devastating impact of the drought, which has led to widespread hunger and financial hardship, forcing families to prioritise basic survival over education.
Many children have dropped out of school altogether, unable to afford food, clothing, or school fees.
In the documentary one Anesi Makaya, an 88-year-old resident narrated her ordeal: "My heart aches when I see my children and grandchildren suffer without food, clothing, or education during this time of hunger. This is not the life
I envisioned for them."
“We can spend three-four days without eating, especially when we do not get something from mining here. Sometimes we even sleep on vegetables, we do not have a safe water source, we have no borehole, we are drinking water from the river.
“The children we bring here, they can spend the whole day without eating, our fields are dry, the life that I am living is not well, as old as I am I’m not supposed to be here gold panning, my whole-body aches sometimes I even struggle to stand up, but I try by all means to be here and work for my children.”
According to FewsNet, the USAid’s food security arm, the 2024 harvest is expected to be poor and will impact household food access throughout the post-harvest period.
It said the situation would be worsened by high food prices and limited access to income-earning opportunities leading to crisis levels in typical deficit-producing areas in the south, east, west, and extreme north.
In conclusion, the urgency of the food crisis in Zimbabwe warrants immediate and increased investment in food aid distribution systems.
By addressing the humanitarian needs of affected communities, such investment not only saves lives but also has far-reaching economic benefits. It stimulates economic growth, reduces poverty, and fosters social stability.
Therefore, it is imperative for stakeholders, both government and non-governmental organizations, to prioritise and allocate resources to strengthen food aid distribution systems, ensuring a brighter future for Zimbabwe.
*Gary Gerald Mtombeni is a journalist based in Harare. He writes here in his personal capacity. For feedback Email garymtombeni@gmail.com/ call