HARARE – The United Nations has unveiled a US$429 million aid appeal to feed 3.1 million Zimbabweans who are in urgent need of food aid because of drought.
The impact of El Niño has negatively affected local cereal production, with estimates of a 52 per cent shortfall.
In the appeal, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator Edward Kallon said the plea aims to complement the government’s own relief efforts.
“To respond to the scenario, this Flash Appeal requires US$429.3 million for humanitarian partners to target close to 3.1 million people.
“The appeal aims to mobilise humanitarian action in support of the government-led response and is directly complementing the government’s own relief efforts.
“We have ensured that this appeal is prioritised and principled, and we are confident that the activities planned are the most urgently needed to deliver immediate relief to the people who need it the most.
“I therefore call on the international community to show solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe 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,” said Kallon.
He said the UN’s Zimbabwe drought response will run from April 2024 to March 2025, targeting people in 46 most vulnerable districts.
“Based on the two severities, 46 districts have been identified as priority, with a target population of 3.1 million people requiring USD 429.3 million.
“This approach is expected to maximise the impact of collective humanitarian action and to ensure that the areas of greatest need are reached first,” he said.
The UN intervention will include livestock production, food assistance, cash transfers, and the construction of solarised boreholes and water pans.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently declared a national disaster to tackle the drought which has left the government requiring US$2 billion to try and mitigate the disaster.
