Hunger on a massive scale is looming across Zimbabwe and Zambia. Families will not have enough food to eat in the coming months because of a crippling drought.
In August, the United Nations warned that Zimbabwe faced a major food crisis which affected a third of its population – more than five million people. Today, that figure has increased to more than 7.7 million people, more than half the population of 14 million.
In Zambia the devastating effects of an extreme dry spell has withered crops, leaving more than 1.7 million people struggling to feed themselves.
Our local Church emergency response experts are already in communities, identifying families in the greatest need.
Donate: help families affected by the food crisis in Zimbabwe and Zambia
What has happened in Zimbabwe?
Verity Johnson, CAFOD’s Country Representative for Zimbabwe, based in Harare, said:
“Years of economic turmoil and climate change, as well as the recent Cyclone Idai, are pushing families to the brink of starvation. Last year’s harvests failed, largely due to extreme weather, from droughts that lasted for months on end, to flooding which wiped out whole villages.
“The cost of food has risen exponentially, and there are severe bread shortages across the country. Where it can be found, a loaf of bread in Zimbabwe now costs up to fifteen times more than it did a year ago. In the struggle to feed their children, parents are going without themselves.
“The prolonged drought means dams have failed to fill. Wells and rivers are drying up, leaving communities with no option but to walk tens of kilometres to reach water.”
How is CAFOD responding to the food crisis in Zimbabwe?
CAFOD has already given £50,000 to the emergency response. Our local aid experts are carrying out rapid assessments in the worst-affected communities. Through our Church network, we have intensified our efforts over the last few weeks to provide families in need with emergency food and safe, clean water.
