The United States through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced additional $39 million in drought response assistance to people of Zimbabwe as the lean season, when food is scarcest approaches.
In a statement released by the Agency on Thursday stating that this announcement was made by U.S. Ambassador, Pamela M. Tremont, making $62 million in response to Zimbabwe humanitarian needs since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2024.
El Niño weather patterns are causing a historic drought throughout southern Africa, including in Zimbabwe, driving higher than average levels of food insecurity and disrupting agricultural production and livelihoods.
During the recent October-May agricultural season, 80 percent of Zimbabwe received below-average rainfall, resulting in farmers losing approximately 70 percent of their crops.
It stated further that through this support from USAID, humanitarian partners will provide over 500,000 people with food assistance during the upcoming lean season; distribute agriculture supplies.
It also added that livestock will be distributed to households whose livelihoods have been affected by the drought; and improve access to water for agriculture and consumption.
The climate crisis has been fueling extreme weather events across the African continent, from deadly floods and cyclones to powerful wildfires and heatwaves, this year’s record- high temperatures and delayed rainfall in southern Africa are proving to be no exception.
Parts of southern Africa have received half or less of their typical rainfall in the first half of 2024, resulting in an extreme drought that threatens to push more than 24 million people into severe hunger.