Zimbabwe Seeks US$2 Billion To Avert Famine

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urgently appealed for international assistance, stating that Zimbabwe needs more than US$2 billion to mitigate the impending famine caused by the El Niño-induced drought. The severity of the situation has led the government to declare a state of disaster.

Interestingly, this declaration follows a period during which President Mnangagwa’s ZANU PF party allocated substantial funds to electoral campaigns and generously rewarded ministers, judges, lawmakers, and chiefs. Said Mnangagwa:

By this Declaration, I also call upon all Zimbabweans of goodwill, including those in the diaspora; the international community, United Nations Agencies, Development and Humanitarian Partners, International Financial Institutions; the private sector, churches and other faith-based organisations, as well as individuals to generously donate towards ameliorating this State of National Disaster…

Preliminary assessments show that Zimbabwe requires in excess of US$2 billion towards various interventions we envisage in the spectrum of our national response.

Ironically, the declaration of a State of disaster comes as the government is pushing to pass a controversial law, the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill whose provisions are inimical to freedom of association.

In his address to the nation on Wednesday, April 3, President Mnangagwa revealed that a staggering 80% of Zimbabwe experienced below-normal rainfall.

The anticipated grain yield for the 2023/24 agricultural season in Zimbabwe stands at 868,273 tonnes. However, this falls significantly short of the nation’s food requirements, resulting in a cereal deficit of nearly 680,000 metric tonnes.

To achieve food security, Zimbabwe must secure a minimum of 2.2 million metric tonnes of grains annually.

President Mnangagwa reassured the nation that despite the cereal deficit, imports will play a crucial role in bridging the gap. He said:

Top on our priorities is securing food for all Zimbabweans. No Zimbabwean must succumb to or die from hunger.

Adequate resources will, therefore, be mobilised and re-directed towards national food security, including through supplementary grain imports.

All available grain in the country will be secured through competitive prices and payment towards encouraging farmers to release and sell available grain, including to the Grain Marketing Board.

A robust and responsive mechanism has been put in place to guarantee that food reaches needy communities timely.

More: Pindula News