Own Correspondent
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently announced a US$11.27 million support to the World Food Programme (WFP) in Zimbabwe, ensuring 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.
In her remarks, the USAID Mission Director said: “USAID is committed to continue to strengthen community resilience and accelerate sustainable development, which empowers Zimbabweans to better cope with the stressors such as the drought caused by the El Niño climate pattern.”
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 metric tones of maize grain during the peak period. The funding from USAID will complement Zimbabwe’s Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy Programme, which will assist 2.7 million people in all districts across Zimbabwe to help mitigate household food stock depletion, minimize negative coping mechanisms, and prevent the most vulnerable people from falling deeper into food insecurity.
During the launch of strengthen, Francesca Erdelmann, WFP Zimbabwe Representative and Country Director said, “Our contribution to the Lean Season Assistance is a basket which comprises grain, pulses, and cooking oil. We appreciate USAID standing with us in supporting the resilient people of Zimbabwe.”
As WFP delivers assistance this lean season and beyond, it will continue to enhance its monitoring to best serve vulnerable families across the country. Furthermore, WFP will work with USAID and its other partners to actively engage communities to strengthen their resilience against the anticipated El Niño weather phenomenon. This involves creating valuable assets such as boreholes, reservoirs, drip irrigation systems, and providing drought-resistant seeds to smallholder farmers.
USAID’s latest contribution to WFP’s food and resilience activities in Zimbabwe brings the total funding from the United States to over US$24 million in 2023.
