We inform, we communicate
We inform, we communicate

EU provides additional €10 million for humanitarian assistance in Zimbabwe

The EU has announced that it is providing an additional €10 million in funding to help address growing humanitarian needs in Zimbabwe.

A combination of climatic shocks, exacerbated by the economic crisis, led to critical food shortages. The situation is not expected to improve until April 2020, when the next harvest takes place.

"The European Union is stepping up its support to the people of Zimbabwe. Our assistance will support those most in need during the most critical period until their next harvest. We stand in solidarity with them at this time of need, by providing support for essential food needs and helping people get back on their own two feet,"said Christos Stylianides, the European Union's Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management.

EU humanitarian support will aim to alleviate the impact of food shortages on the most vulnerable people whose livelihoods has been affected by recurring climate disasters (erratic rains, drought, and cyclone Idai which affected parts of the country) combined with the high cost of food and agricultural inputs, such as seeds. It will provide assistance to meet immediate food needs and livelihood support, such as aid that allows beneficiaries to buy seeds in time to restart their agricultural activities.

In June 2019, 5.5 million people in Zimbabwe lacked enough food to meet their needs; 21% of the rural population is affected by this crisis. Zimbabwe is in the grip of a harsh drought affecting crop yields and water availability, while crop pests have blighted yields. Many families lost their livestock to different disease outbreaks, and water scarcity has resulted in an increased risk of human disease outbreaks. When tropical cyclone Idai hit Zimbabwe in March 2019, more than 4,500 hectares of crops were swept away, just before they could be harvested, and access to markets became difficult or impossible in many places. Food prices have gone up and are beyond reach for many poor families.


Distributed by APO Group on behalf of European Commission.
Copyright 2024 © inf-communication.com. All rights reserved.
Pense Web - Website design