THE United Nations on Friday launched a US$429 million appeal for funding to feed 3.1 million people in Zimbabwe facing food shortages as a result of this year’s El Nino-induced drought.
The country, as most in the region, are expecting sharply reduced harvests this year because of the drought. In the case of Zimbabwe, the cereal shortfall is estimated at 52 percent.
Launching the appeal, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator Edward Kallon said this aimed to augment the government-led response to the drought.
“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, he said.
“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 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, and will target people in 46 most vulnerable districts.
“Based on the severity, 46 districts have been identified as priority, with a target population of 3.1 million people requiring US$29.3 million. This approach is expected to maximize 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 enable the government and partners to mobilise swift funding to tackle the effects of the drought. In the appeal, the government said it required US$2 billion. — New Ziana