Over 3.5 million people are suffering food shortages because of the severe El Nino-induced drought in Zimbabwe that has damaged crops and led to rising food prices, Church Times reports.
Erratic rainfall and dry spells from October–March diminished crop production and increased the likelihood that household food stocks will be depleted earlier than usual and triggering an early start to the 2019/2020 lean season—the period typically lasting from November to March when food is most scarce.
The drought devastated crops — especially maize, which is used to make the staple food sadza, a thick porridge that is served with relish.
Additionally, economic volatility and currency shortages limit poor households’ livelihood opportunities and is significantly worsening food insecurity conditions if prolonged.
Statistics published last Monday showed that annual inflation had almost doubled to 175 percent in June: rising food prices is one of the biggest factors.
Christian Aid has warned that the situation will get worse throughout the winter months when it estimates that 5.5 million people, largely in rural areas, will need aid.
Nicholas Shamano, the charity’s country manager, said that food inflation had soared, and many families were living off two meals a day — or, sometimes, just one — of mainly cereal with a few vegetables.
“In 2018 to 2019, Zimbabwe and other Southern African countries experienced an El-Niño-induced drought. The phenomenon pits the country’s food security status as dire, considering the production levels, available food stocks, the market prices, and the stability of food supply in Zimbabwe’s vulnerable population,” he said.
Plaxedes Chibura of Epworth, located about 20km south-east of Harare, desperately needs food aid.
“We have resorted to just one meal a day,” said Chibura (48), who struggles to care for her grandchildren.
“At times, it’s just the vegetables we get in our garden. We are struggling to get money to buy food. I wish donors would bring us food, especially for the children, as I am not employed. Even school fees I can’t pay. One of them [the children] was not well, so we incurred medical bills.”
The drought has also affected the water supply.
Michael Chideme, the spokesman for Harare City Council, says two of the capital’s reservoirs have dried out and others are following suit. Water rationing has begun.
As if that was not disaster enough, torrential rainfall from Tropical Cyclone Idai caused flash flooding in eastern Zimbabwe, resulting in over 300 deaths, destroying property and livelihoods, negatively impacting the food security of approximately 192,000 people and displacing approximately 51,000, in mid-March.
The country is also experiencing rolling power cuts as water levels fall, affecting the country’s largest hydropower plant.
Power outages of up to 18 hours a day are affecting industries, and, last week, Econet Wireless -the country’s biggest mobile-phone operator – said that the situation was becoming untenable.
Zimbabwe’s hopes now depend on “the generosity of the international community”, Bishow Parajuli, the coordinator of UN agencies in Zimbabwe said.
Mr Parajuli is urging farmers to invest in irrigation and small grains as part of efforts to reduce the effects of climate.
World Food Programme (WFP) spokesperson Herve Verhoosel said the crisis was likely to last until September with a further deterioration into December that would widen the impact to over 4, 7 million people.
He said the hunger period would peak at the height of the lean season, from January through March 2020, when 59% of rural households or over 5.5 million people would be food-insecure.
“Given the scale and scope of the food insecurity in Zimbabwe,” Verhoosel said, “WFP is planning to scale up to assist over two million people” by the peak of the lean season during early next year.
Until then, teams will continue providing food help to the most vulnerable populations, while also helping communities to build resilience to climate change and future shock impacts.
According to a recent report by UN aid agencies and the government, Zimbabwe needs about $218 million to stave off hunger for about 5,5 million people between now and April 2020, when the next harvest is expected. That’s assuming there will be enough rain.
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