Food crisis in Zimbabwe
Rising market prices, poor harvests and flooding have resulted in chronic food shortages. One third of all children are malnourished. We’re getting food to children who need it.
Zimbabwe is in the midst of a political and economic crisis. Agreement between the unity government is fragile, and the economy is in tatters, with inflation continuing at a staggering rate.
The education and health systems have collapsed, and 10 million people are now living below the poverty line.
While it was once the breadbasket of southern Africa, it now produces only one-third of the grain it needs to feed its own population. More than half — around 65% — of the population urgently need food assistance.
Mercy, seven, collects mulberry leaves to boil and eat. Her mother often goes out begging to try and get something for her family to eat. They usually survive on one cup of mealy meal (ground maize) each day. One-third of all children in Zimbabwe are chronically malnourished, and 10 million people (out of a population of 13 million) live below the poverty line.
Godgave, six, is weighed and measured at one of Save the Children’s Early Childhood Development Centres to see how malnourished he is. Weighing just 13 kg, he is only as tall as a four-year-old child. We're feeding over 1,000 pre-school children in our Early Childhood Development Centres.
Zineth is six, and weighs just 15kg. This puts her in the ‘red zone’, meaning that she needs food aid urgently. She's one of the lucky ones as she is now attending a Save the Children Early Childhood Development Centre, where she is fed once a day, and can play with other children. Thousands of children are facing starvation in Zimbabwe.
A child tucks into breakfast at one of Save the Children’s Early Childhood Development Centres in Matabeleland North. Often, this is the only meal these children will have each day.
Food rations being distributed by Save the Children in Zvimba district, Zimbabwe. We are working to deliver food aid to more than 140,000 people in three districts in the country.
Tinashe, who is 16-months-old, waits with her mother in the queue for the Save the Children food distribution. More than half the Zimbabwean population is in need of urgent food aid, but resources are insufficient and rations are being reduced.
Thabse walks home with her food rations from a Save the Children distribution programme with her daughter Precious. Thabse was identified as someone vulnerable who needed food aid, as she’s been ill since 2007. Her husband died in July 2008, leaving her with four children to care for alone.
What we’re doing
We’ve been working in Zimbabwe for twenty five years. During the current food crisis, we’re helping families increase their income so they can afford food all year round by providing crops and farming materials and promoting drought-resistant crops. We’re also distributing food to the children and poorest families who need it most. So far we have reached more than 600,000 people, 438,993 of whom are children.The cholera crisis
The cholera crisis that lasted for around six months is now under control. We’ve reached over 200,000 people with our response, including more that 100,000 children. However the United Nations has warned that Zimbabwe will experience another cholera outbreak if the collapsed water and sewer systems in the country are not rehabilitated. We continue to train health workers, provide cholera prevention kits and carry out hygiene promotion.What you can do
Help us support our Children's Emergency Fund.
Fundraise and help save lives.
Read our Zimbabwe blog.
