The Minister of Local Government and Public Works Honourable Daniel Garwe has signed a joint appeal for food aid to the International Community with Mr Edward Kallon, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Harare recently.
Hon Garwe highlighted that like any other country in the Southern African region, Zimbabwe has been hit by the El Nino-induced drought and the country is in dire need of assistance.
“Zimbabwe like any other country in the SADC Region is grappling with the impact of the 2023/24 El Nino-induced drought. Recognizing the impact of the drought and gravity of the situation, a State of Disaster was declared by His Excellency, The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa in all of the country’s ten (10) provinces to enable implementation of extra-ordinary measures to ameliorate the impact of the drought on our vulnerable citizenry,” he said.
In response to the 2023/24 drought season the government of Zimbabwe has introduced a number of intervention strategies to cater for the needs of those affected and this include School feeding programme, food and cash for assets, Zunde raMambo/ Isiphala seNkosi, irrigation development, Community Fisheries Schemes, Village Business Units, School Business Units, Youth Business Units and Irrigation Scheme Business Units.
Speaking to the media today, the Minister of Local government, Hon Garwe said Zimbabwe is set to receive 31 million USD from the drought risk insurance organizations from the USD3.3 billion that is set to cover 9million Zimbabweans who are food insecure.
“It is worth noting that Government embraced the sovereign drought risk insurance with Africa Risk Capacity (ARC), with the participation of two (2) replica partners namely World Food Programme (WFP) and Start Network. Given the magnitude of the drought, the Government and the replica partners are set receive an amount of US$31,896,784 in payouts,” he said.
He went on and said that the joint appeal of Zimbabwe and the United Nations is set to gather enough humanitarian support to assist Zimbabwe.
“The Government of Zimbabwe and the UN are committed to further strengthening our partnership for an effective and efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance under our overall promise to Leave No One and No Place Behind.”
Mr Edward Kallon the UN President and Humanitarian Coordinator said that this appeal seeks to compliment the government relief programs and help close to 3.1 million people.
“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 own relief efforts.
“The UN and its partners are fully committed to supporting the Government to build resilience and implement climate-resilient development initiatives. While longer-term efforts to address these extremely complex challenges are vital, we are faced today with an urgent need to act swiftly to save the lives and livelihoods of those whose crops and livestock have been upended by the El Nino drought.”
Mr Edward Kallon called to the International Community to quickly assist Zimbabwe in these trying times.
“We therefore call on the International Community to show solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe at this extremely challenging time and to stand with us as we step-up our response to this devastating event.
“We appeal for the International Community’s continued generous support to ensure that communities severely impacted by El Niño can cope and recover from it and engage in transformative change,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture Fisheries and Rural Development, Zimbabwe’s crop production was negatively affected with 40 per cent of maize crop classified as ‘poor’, and 60 per cent as ‘a write off’.
Estimates for the 2023/2024 crop season indicate that about 700,000 metric tons (MT) of maize, out of an annual requirement of 2.2 million MT have been harvested. More than 1.4 million cattle risk facing deteriorating body conditions or starving due to lack of food, pasture and water.
The government has assured that no one will starve of hunger.
Story by Farirai Mutumburanzou
