Fidelis Fengu
A creeping shadow of hunger is engulfing Matabeleland and Bulawayo. A stark warning has emerged from the 2024 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) report: the region is teetering on the edge of a humanitarian crisis.
The relentless grip of El Niño has crippled agriculture, leaving thousands facing starvation. Livestock is dying, crops are withering, and hope is fading as communities grapple with the devastating consequences of this deepening disaster.
The 2024 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) report has revealed alarming levels of food insecurity and agricultural distress in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, and Bulawayo.
The three provinces are reeling from the effects of an El Nino-induced drought that has significantly disrupted crop yields and livestock health.
The drought’s impact on Matabeleland North and South has been devastating. Districts such as Tsholotsho, Binga, Mangwe, and Bulilima are facing severe grazing shortages, with 47% of wards expected to experience critical shortages this July. Already, the regions have lost 9,941 cattle due to inadequate water and grazing resources.
“The El Nino-induced drought has severely affected agricultural production in Matabeleland North and South, leading to significant livestock losses and food insecurity among rural households,” the report states
Bulawayo, the second-largest city in Zimbabwe, faces its own set of challenges. The ZimLAC report indicates that 35% of urban households in Bulawayo are food insecure. The city is grappling with high youth unemployment rates, drug and substance abuse, and early marriages, compounded by inadequate access to basic services like education, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
“Urban food insecurity in Bulawayo is driven by high unemployment rates and limited access to basic services, affecting the overall well-being of the population,” the report highlights.
Despite these challenges, the dietary diversity in Bulawayo remains relatively high, with 79% of households consuming five or more food groups. This indicates that while food security is an issue, those with access to food maintain a varied diet.
Amid the crisis, community initiatives like Amalima Loko in Matabeleland North are making a difference. These programs aim to improve nutrition and combat child stunting by educating communities on preparing nutritious meals with local resources. The focus is on supporting pregnant and lactating mothers to ensure healthier families and communities.
“Our program helps teach them how to prepare nutritious food with the supplies that they already have in their communities. This helps them prepare meals that will lead to healthy families and healthy communities,” says a community leader involved in the initiative
In response to the drought, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a State of Disaster in April 2024. The ZimLAC report calls for strategic measures to mitigate future food security risks, including promoting climate-proof farming practices, conservation agriculture, and expanding irrigation systems.
The report underscores, “Future food security strategies must focus on reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture through the promotion of climate-proof farming practices and expanding irrigation systems.”
The ZimLAC 2024 report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive interventions in Matabeleland and Bulawayo to address the ongoing food insecurity and agricultural challenges. Through targeted efforts and community engagement, there is hope for a more resilient and food-secure future for these provinces.
