President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday declared the El Nino-induced 2018/19 farming season drought a State of National Disaster.
This was revealed by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa while addressing reporters during a post-cabinet media briefing in Harare. She said:
Cabinet was informed by the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing that His Excellency President E.D. Mnangagwa has today declared a State of National Disaster regarding the El-Nino-induced drought, which adversely affected the country’s agricultural production and food security in the 2018/2019 agricultural season.
The declaration paves way for the launch of the country’s appeal for drought relief assistance and the associated resilience-building support by the international community.
The United Nations said Zimbabwe requires more than US$331 million to address the humanitarian needs of 3,7 million between the period July 2019 and April 2020.
The drought negatively impacted farming activities resulting in severe food shortages with millions of people in need of food aid.