John AdoyiThe Government of Zimbabwe has announced a major food aid programme to support over 6 million impoverished citizens with monthly distributions of corn, aiming to prevent starvation across the nation. Starting from July 2024 to March 2025, beneficiaries will receive 7.5 to 8.5 kilograms of corn per person per month. This initiative primarily targets rural areas severely affected by an El Niño-induced drought, which resulted in poor to no harvests during the last farming cycle.
El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, often leading to significant weather disruptions worldwide. Zimbabwe, heavily impacted by this phenomenon, faces dire agricultural challenges, exacerbating food insecurity.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelZimbabwe is currently facing a severe drought situation, largely attributed to the El Niño weather phenomenon. This drought has led to a significant decline in agricultural productivity, with over 80% of the country receiving below-normal rainfall. The drought has resulted in widespread crop failures, exacerbating food insecurity across the nation.
During a weekly Post Cabinet Brief, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere outlined the specifics of the program. “The food-insecure people will receive 7.5kg per person per month for the period July to September 2024, and 8.5kg per person per month from October 2024 to March 2025,” Muswere stated. He further detailed that the total cereal requirement from the National Strategic Grain Reserve for this period will amount to 448,350 metric tonnes.
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Breaking down the distribution, Muswere explained that 45,750 metric tonnes will be distributed per month from July to September 2024, and 51,850 metric tonnes per month from October 2024 to March 2025.
Zimbabwe’s economic situation remains precarious despite governmental efforts to stabilise it. Millions of citizens continue to face hunger and starvation.
Earlier this year, from January to March, the government distributed 71,500 metric tonnes of grain to about 2 million citizens to mitigate the drought’s effects. Additionally, between May and July 2024, over 62,000 tonnes of grains were distributed across eight provinces.
The government’s latest initiative marks a significant step in addressing the food insecurity crisis exacerbated by climatic and economic challenges. The program’s success is vital for the survival of millions of Zimbabweans in the coming months.
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