Zimbabwe is facing a severe food crisis, with 60% of its population—9 million people—requiring food aid until March due to a devastating drought caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon. The country’s corn harvest is down nearly 70% from last year, falling far short of the 2.2 million tons needed to sustain the population. In response, the government, alongside the UN, has urgently appealed for $429.3 million to support 3.1 million of the most vulnerable citizens. With a national disaster declared, immediate international aid is critical to prevent widespread hunger and suffering.
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By Godfrey Marawanyika
Zimbabwe said 9 million people — more than half of its population — will need food aid until March after the El Niño weather phenomenon resulted in a drought that decimated the nation’s corn crop, a staple in the southern African country.
That forecast is a 17% increase from its previous prediction of 7.7 million announced on May 14, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe told reporters.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government said that Zimbabwe requires $3.3 billion of aid to feed its population. For now, the administration and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have appealed for $429.3 million to help feed 3.1 million people.
The country expects to harvest 744,271 tons of corn this year, almost 70% less than a year earlier. That also compares with a national requirement of 2.2 million tons of the staple.
Read more: Cathy Buckle: Zimbabwe’s wilderness – A haven amid economic turmoil
The El Niño weather phenomenon has triggered a dry spell across southern Africa that’s slashed South Africa’s corn crop by at least a fifth and led countries including Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to declare states of national disaster because of crop failures.
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