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The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) says political discrimination in the distribution of government food aid has been used as a tool to manipulate vulnerable populations, exacerbating systemic human rights violations.
This finding was revealed in ZPP’s October 2024 monthly monitoring report, as the nation grapples with a severe El Niño-induced drought.
Rural areas are receiving grain, while urban areas are receiving cash assistance. However, ZPP documented 13 cases of politicised aid distribution, where food aid was used to benefit ZANU PF supporters, exposing the party’s control over food allocation systems.
According to ZPP, the 13 documented cases are just a small fraction of the widespread political abuse occurring in the distribution of food aid across the country. Reads the report in part:
<blockquote>
The ruling party’s control over food aid allows it to weaponise hunger, denying assistance to opposition supporters and targeting perceived dissenters.
</blockquote>
ZPP said the practice of politicising food aid violates international human rights laws that protect the right to food and freedom from discrimination.
Rural communities, already struggling with poverty and drought, face coercion to support the ruling party; failure to comply can result in denial of essential aid.
Reports indicate incidents of forced participation in ruling party activities and public renunciation of opposition ties as prerequisites for accessing food aid.
The report also says in Silobela’s Ward 23, a man was denied aid after questioning the political nature of a meeting.
Traditional leaders are also involved, as many are pressured to align with the ruling party, compromising their role as neutral community guardians.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) documented cases in Manicaland where traditional leaders and local politicians hoarded food aid, diverting resources from those in need.
In Buhera South’s Ward 24, a councillor allegedly diverted 40 bags of maize intended for the elderly, selling some at night and giving the rest to unqualified relatives.
The politicization of food aid worsens existing inequalities, erodes trust, and puts marginalized groups—especially women, children, and persons with disabilities—at greater risk. Said ZPP:
<blockquote>
This insidious manipulation of food aid perpetuates a culture of fear, repression, and impunity. It undermines Zimbabwe’s democratic foundations and the fundamental human rights of its citizens, perpetuating poverty and deepening inequality.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

In Zimbabwe, a group called ZPP found that the ruling party, ZANU PF, and traditional leaders are discriminating in the distribution of food aid. This means they are only giving food to people who support their party, leaving others hungry. This is against international laws that protect everyone's right to food. People in rural areas are forced to support the ruling party to get food aid, even if they don't want to. Some traditional leaders are also taking food aid for themselves or their relatives instead of giving it to those who need it. This unfair treatment makes things worse for poor and vulnerable people in Zimbabwe.

ZANU PF, Traditional Leaders Accused Of Political Discrimination In Food Aid Distribution

Supporters of opposition political parties in Zimbabwe are reportedly being removed from the lists of beneficiaries for food aid and farming inputs distribution in rural areas.
According to the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) Monthly Monitoring Report for September 2024, the distribution of food aid is occurring along partisan lines.
The report highlights nine separate incidents in which a total of 85 individuals were denied aid due to their political affiliations. Reads part of the report:
<blockquote>
In one of the 19 villages in Ward 8 in Vungu district, only 14 families have been benefiting from government-sponsored food aid in a village of about 65 families.
The narration from some of the victims indicates that when a decision to increase the number of beneficiary households was made, instead of adding from the rest of the families in the village, additional beneficiaries from the ruling party were added from other villages because the rest of the families were deemed unfit due to their political affiliations.
One of the victims narrated: “We are not getting the food rations because they say go and feed from your Father’s plate. We are not even told about the distribution but sometimes we are told by people that our names were on the list and were called out but we do not get the food, meaning someone is benefitting on our behalf”.
In Mwenezi North’s Ward 4, Kraal Head Chitemere is accused of only issuing the Pfumbvudza inputs solely to ruling party supporters, further marginalizing those who do not align with the political elite.
In Mwenezi North, Ward 4 Kraal Head Chitemere of Village 2, discriminately excluded two families from potential beneficiaries of fertiliser under the Pfumvudza supporting scheme stating that they never attend ZANU PF meetings and were not participating in the party activities. He declared the seedling program was for ruling party supporters only.
The families, facing a hostile environment, requested a letter from Chitemere to relocate to other villages but were denied, labelling them CCC members and claiming their movement to other villages would negatively impact others.
</blockquote>
Traditional leaders are reportedly forcing villagers to participate in labour-intensive infrastructure projects, presenting these initiatives as part of a “food for work” program. Reads the report:
<blockquote>
These have been noted in Vungu district in Midlands, Masvingo North, Bikita East, Gutu Central and Mutare North among others. In Ward 10, Mutare North in Manicaland, kraalhead Phanuel Hama Marange is leading the villagers who benefit from the social welfare distributed food aid in making damaged roads.
The villagers work with bare hands and use their own tools such as shovels, wheelbarrows and hoes.
Reports also state that villagers are fined US$1 should they absent themselves. In a similar incident in Bikita South in Masvingo, villagers who wanted to benefit from food aid were assigned duties under the food for work program and worked for two months but have not received the promised aid.
</blockquote>
 
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Opposition supporters in Zimbabwe are being denied food aid and farming inputs because of their political affiliations. The Zimbabwe Peace Project found that 85 individuals were denied help because of their links to opposition parties. Traditional leaders are making villagers work on infrastructure projects in exchange for food aid, with some facing fines if they don't participate. The situation is worsening for opposition supporters in rural areas, with even aid distribution being done along party lines. This unfair treatment is causing hardship for those who don't support the ruling party.

Opposition Supporters Denied Food Aid In Rural Areas | Report

The government’s food aid distribution programme for villagers is shrouded in controversy, with reports indicating that some individuals are receiving grain while many others are being left out.
During a Q&amp;A session on Wednesday, Murewa South Member of Parliament Noah Mangondo raised concerns with Acting Speaker of the National Assembly Raymore Machingura, saying that there are serious issues with the distribution process. Said Mangondo:
<blockquote>
People who received food aid in April and those who received in June are the ones who are receiving food for phase two that we started in August. What is government doing so that food is distributed to all vulnerable families?
</blockquote>
Public Service and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Maruva Mercy Dinha explained to legislators that when the government started the distribution programme, the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) had yet to produce its assessment report. She said:
<blockquote>
When we started distributing food in April, we were given the names of the beneficiaries by sabhukus, Village heads. ZIMLAC had not yet finished doing its assessments.
The first phase started in May to July. We did not use the ZIMLAC results because it was stated that from July to September, people who were supposed to receive food aid when we started, were 6 100 000.
</blockquote>
Dinha said her ministry did not revert to the ZIMLAC results because people would have been disadvantaged and only a few would have been given food aid.
She added that the government resorted to the number that it had been given in the first phase. Said Dinha:
<blockquote>
These people are the people who were considered to be vulnerable. When this assessment was done, people had meetings with their Sabhukus and agreed on the families to receive food aid.
</blockquote>
However, Mangondo questioned Dinha’s response, arguing that the same individuals receiving food aid are not representative of the broader community affected by the drought.
Dinha told Machingura that those who received food aid first were deemed the most vulnerable and would continue to receive assistance until the programme concluded.
Other MPs joined the debate, including Tendai Nyabani (ZANU PF) from Rushinga and Richard Ziki (ZANU PF) from Hurungwe Central. Said Ziki:
<blockquote>
Some people did not get food during the second phase who were supposed to get food in their wards but by July 31, those people were removed from the list for not receiving their previous allocations.
</blockquote>
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi admitted there are anomalies. He said:
<blockquote>
Something went wrong such that not all the places got food, but it does not mean that if you did not benefit, we should go back in retrospect because the time has passed and you are alive.
We are giving for the next three months not to go back as if you have died. If you are still alive, we will start where we are.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe suffered its worst drought in over 40 years in the past season caused by El Nino leaving more than 9.2 people in need of food aid in both urban and rural areas.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government is giving out food aid to help people, but some are not getting any. Some Members of Parliament are saying the distribution is not fair. They say some people who got food before are getting it again, while others are left out. The government says they did not use a certain report to decide who gets food aid. They say they are helping the most vulnerable people first. But some MPs think more people should get food aid. The government admits there are problems, but they will focus on helping those in need now. Many people in Zimbabwe need food aid because of a bad drought.

ZANU PF MPs Question Fairness Of Food Aid Distribution Process

According to Zimbabwe’s Food Security Outlook to March 2025, at least 6.2 million people living in rural areas will require food assistance, with nearly 465,000 metric tonnes of grain needed.
This was said by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka.
The Minister also revealed that Zimbabwe’s Strategic Grain Reserve currently holds 264,246 metric tonnes of grain, excluding an additional 32,314 metric tonnes imported by the government. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
The country’s food balance sheet to March 2025 indicates that 6.2 million rural residents will need assistance.
Considering the requirements of the rural population until March 2025 and the school feeding program until April 2025, the maximum amount of grain required is 464,608.54 metric tonnes.
Current stocks in the Strategic Grain Reserve, which include wheat, maize, and traditional grains, stand at 264,246 metric tonnes, excluding 32,314 metric tonnes imported by the Government to date.
</blockquote>
Masuka announced that the 200,362.54 metric tonne shortfall will be addressed through surplus from the winter wheat harvest and additional government grain imports, estimated at 300,000 metric tonnes.
He also said the government will accelerate depot-to-depot grain movement from August to October 2024.
The private sector is expected to import all stock-feed requirements, totalling 400,000 metric tonnes, and urban maize requirements of up to 450,000 metric tonnes by March 2025.
To date, 567,160 metric tonnes have been imported. Import permits for 1.8 million metric tonnes of maize are currently active, Masuka added.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Over 6.2 million people in rural Zimbabwe need food aid because they don't have enough to eat. The government says they need almost 465,000 metric tonnes of grain to help them. The government already has some grain in reserve, but they will need to import more to meet the needs of the people. The government will also work with the private sector to make sure there is enough food for everyone. They are planning to bring in more grain and make sure it gets to where it's needed. They want to make sure everyone has enough to eat until March 2025.

Over 6.2 Million Rural Zimbabweans Require Food Aid, Says Government

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed a generous contribution of US$1.4 million from the Government of Japan, aimed at assisting approximately 26,000 people affected by the ongoing El Niño-induced drought in Zimbabwe.
Currently, over 5.9 million individuals in rural areas of Zimbabwe face the risk of food insecurity between January and March 2025, which is the peak of the lean season—the critical period between planting and harvest.
Shinichi Yamanaka, the Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, expressed his country’s concern regarding the food insecurity challenges in Zimbabwe and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting the nation in meeting its food security needs. He said:
<blockquote>
The Government of Japan and the Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe are very concerned about the food insecurity in Zimbabwe.
I hope that this food assistance will help these vulnerable people to overcome the current crisis. We will continue our support to allow all Zimbabweans to meet their food security needs.
</blockquote>
With this contribution, WFP will provide cereals, pulses, and vegetable oil to vulnerable communities in the hardest-hit areas impacted by the previous poor harvest due to the drought. Billy Mwiinga, WFP Zimbabwe Deputy Country Director said:
<blockquote>
Many families around Zimbabwe are worried about their next meal, so this timely and critical additional funding from the Government of Japan will help us reach the most food-insecure people with nutritious food assistance.
We are grateful for Japan’s unwavering partnership in our mission to end hunger and contribute to building resilience.
</blockquote>
July Moyo, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare, said:
<blockquote>
The declaration of a state of disaster by His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, underscores the severity of the drought situation in Zimbabwe.
We deeply appreciate the support from Japan and the collaborative efforts with WFP to ensure that no one is left behind during these difficult times.
</blockquote>
The Government of Japan’s continued support highlights the strong and enduring partnership between Japan, WFP, and the Government of Zimbabwe.
Over the past five years, Japan has provided food assistance through WFP amounting to US$10 million, supporting about 190,000 people, including during the COVID-19 emergency.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Japan has given $1.4 million to help 26,000 people in Zimbabwe who are hungry because of a drought. Many people in rural areas don't have enough food between January and March 2025. Japan wants to help Zimbabwe meet their food needs. The World Food Programme will give cereals, pulses, and oil to people in need. Japan has supported Zimbabwe with $10 million in the past and wants to continue helping. The Japanese ambassador and Zimbabwe's government are thankful for the help to fight hunger in the country.

Japan Donates US$1.4 Million To Avert Hunger In Zimbabwe

Officials from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in Guruve, Mashonaland Central Province, have been arrested for allegedly stealing food aid meant for local villagers.
According to <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/govt-officials-loot-food-aid/">Business Times</a>, the accused, Mutsa Sibanda (36) and Mazvitaishe Maisiri (26) are said to have stolen 31 bags of wheat intended for distribution in Guruve, Ward 19, as part of the Government’s Rural Food Aid and Urban Cash Transfer programmes.
The alarm was raised by Headman Chairperson Kazunga of Ward 19, who reported that the theft occurred on August 12 at Negomo Primary School in Guruve. He said:
<blockquote>
The food aid that was brought to us was 1087 bags of wheat. Social welfare officers were the ones who compiled the list of people to receive the food.
Upon arrival at the school, they ordered us as headsmen never to come near or interfere with the distribution processes.
Most people over 60 years old were left out of the distribution list.
I engaged the local Ward 19 Councilor with a list of complaining vulnerable elderly and we presented it to the social welfare officer to say please assist these people if they may die of hunger.
But, we were told not to interfere.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Mashonaland Central Province, Inspector Milton Mundembe, said that the case was filed under case number CR 76/07/24. Said Mundembe:
<blockquote>
I can confirm a case of theft involving social welfare officers that occurred during this month in Guruve where they misappropriated 31 bags of wheat meant for food aid and are currently in custody.
We continue to appeal to the members of the public to supply the police with tips, as this will enhance transparency and we are grateful to the local leadership for cooperating with the police in this regard.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Government officials in Guruve, Zimbabwe, were caught stealing bags of wheat that were supposed to go to villagers in need. They took 31 bags and left out many elderly people who needed the food aid. The theft was reported by a local leader, and the police arrested the suspects. The officials were supposed to help distribute food, but they kept some for themselves. The police are asking the public for help in reporting any similar incidents to make sure aid goes to the people who need it most.

Govt Officials Caught Stealing Food Aid Intended For Villagers

Members of Parliament (MPs) have demanded a fair distribution of food aid in their respective constituencies amid reports some deserving households are reportedly being left out, reported <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mps-demand-ministerial-statement-over-unfair-distribution-of-food-aid-deserving-households-starving/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>.
Zvimba East MP Kudakwashe Decide Mananzva (ZANU PF), said not all households were benefiting from the current distribution exercise. He said:
<blockquote>
We are grateful for the maize that is being distributed but my question is, maize is coming but only a few are benefitting.
One family can take up to six bags whilst another does not. What measures are you taking to ensure that everyone gets the maize grain because everyone is facing starvation?
</blockquote>
Mercy Dinha, the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, said 6.1 million people in Zimbabwe’s rural areas needed grain assistance.  She said:
<blockquote>
At the moment, there are 6 100 000 beneficiaries of grain in rural areas. People are receiving grain for three months allocation at one go.
One person receives 22.5 kgs which means, a father and mother plus children which is 22.5 times six.
That is why some receive a number of bags whilst some have not received them yet. That is an allocation of the chosen beneficiaries and the criteria has been that there are the most needy at that moment. They are considered as needing the grain at that moment.
</blockquote>
However, Mananzva questioned the distribution criteria being used as some households have been getting maize for previous months. He said:
<blockquote>
The maize that is being allocated in six months, is it in advance or it is backdated? If it is backdated, it means that people have survived, why do we not give grain to people in advance so that we all benefit?
</blockquote>
Dinha explained the criteria were cost-saving in terms of transport. She said:
<blockquote>
We have been distributing grain for May, June and July. The criteria reduce costs, especially for transport as well as administration and ensuring that people do not travel up and down to receive the maize.
At the moment, the allocations are for May, June and July. After that, we start distributing for the next three months; so, it will be in batches of three months till March next year.
</blockquote>
Chikanga MP, Lynnette Karenyi-Kore (CCC), argued that the government should ensure that every household receives at least some basic food assistance, rather than the current approach which appears to be leaving out certain communities. Said Karenyi-Kore:
<blockquote>
According to their assessment, it shows that in rural as well as in urban areas, people are starving.
So, it means that when one person goes with six bags, others get nothing. The Hon. minister admitted that some get as much as six bags, but the fact of the matter is that everyone is starving.
As government, why do they not distribute the maize to everyone for the three months’ batch? It is better to give a bag per household than distributing six bags to one household.
</blockquote>
Dinha said the criteria were being used and as a rule gazetted by the government, if that had to be changed, it meant the government must sit down to change the system and ensure that everyone benefits and ensure each household gets a bag of maize.
Mananzva argued that Parliament is part of the government and it never agreed on the alleged procedure being followed. He said:
<blockquote>
If you say government laid down that procedure, we are the government and we are saying in Mutoko, no one at all received rains.
So, we want to know how you are going to distribute the maize expeditiously because everyone is starving. The situation is dire out there.
</blockquote>
Dinha promised to work with the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Minister, Anxious Masuka, to act according to MPs’ suggestions.
Goromonzi West legislator Beatrice Karimatsenga-Nyamupinga (ZANU PF) called on the responsible minister to issue a formal ministerial statement addressing the concerns around the grain distribution process. Said Karimatsenga-Nyamupinga:
<blockquote>
The two ministries concerned can bring a ministerial statement to this House because we cannot play with an issue that has to do with hunger.
Hunger can lead people to do anything and it is a security threat to have hunger in the country.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is facing one of the most severe droughts in living memory, caused by the El Niño weather pattern. This crisis has left about half the population in need of food aid.
In April 2024, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a national disaster due to the drought and appealed for $2 billion in international assistance to help millions of Zimbabweans facing hunger.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Members of Parliament are upset that not all deserving families are getting enough food aid in Zimbabwe. Some families get more bags of maize while others get none. The government says they have a criteria to decide who gets what in order to save money and make distribution easier. MPs want every family to get at least one bag of maize to help with the hunger crisis in the country. The government promised to work with MPs to improve the distribution system. Zimbabwe is facing a severe drought, leaving many people in need of food aid. President Mnangagwa declared a national disaster and asked for international help.

MPs Call For Equitable Distribution Of Food Aid

Zimbabwe has received US$31.8 million from the African Risk Capacity, an arm of the African Union, in drought relief aid.
The southern African country joined the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Agency in 2012.
The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and lnvestment Promotion, Mthuli Ncube, received US$16.8 million from ARC on Thursday, which was complemented by payments to Zimbabwe’s ARC partners, the World Food Programme (WFP) and Start Network of US$6.1 million and US$8.9 million, respectively.
Receiving the insurance cover, Ncube said that the drought relief funds will cover 27 districts across the country. Said Ncube:
<blockquote>
Today, I am honoured, to, on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe, receive the ARC drought insurance pay-out amounting to US$16.8 million.
The pay-out is complemented by pay-outs to our ARC replica partners amounting to US$6.1 million to the WFP and US$8.9 million to Start Network.
Zimbabwe will, therefore, receive a total pay-out of US$31.8 million.
The insurance payout will be distributed to approximately 508,435 vulnerable households in 27 districts across the country.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is currently facing an acute food shortage following an El Niño-induced drought, which has left more than half of the country’s population in need of food assistance.
In April 2024, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the drought a state of national disaster, issuing an appeal for resources from aid agencies and development partners.
Despite assurances that no one will die of hunger, the Zimbabwean government has revised its food relief funding appeal from the initial US$2 billion to US$3 billion.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Receives US$31.8 Million Drought Insurance Cover

More than half of Zimbabwe’s population will need food aid this year after an El Nino-induced drought decimated crops and livestock during the 2023/24 summer cropping season.
This is based on the Second Round of Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment of April 18, 2024, and the Rapid Village-based Food Assessment concluded on April 15, 2024.
In a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, 14 May, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said that six million people in rural areas will require assistance between May 2024 and March 2025. He said (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200026928/crisis-as-half-of-zim-needs-food-aid">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee Report (ZimLAC) indicated that 1,7 million people who reside in urban areas will require assistance.
A total of 7,7 million people, being 51% of the population, will require food assistance. This excludes a further 4,5 million who will require school meals.
</blockquote>
Muswere also said the grain stock at the Grain Marketing Board as of May 9, 2024, stood at 423 779 tonnes.
He added that the private sector is expected to import all its stock feed requirements of 400 000 tonnes, and urban maize requirements of up to 450 000 tonnes by March 2025.
Muswere said the ZimLAC 2024 Urban Livelihoods and Nutrition Assessment revealed that 65% of urban households were food secure, while 35% were food insecure.
The proportion of food-insecure urban households translates to 1,732,770 people.
Speaking during yesterday’s post-Cabinet, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Anxious Masuka said that the 2023/24 Summer Crop Marketing, Food Security Outlook to March 2025 indicated that close to 8 million people would need food aid, which represents more than half of the population.
According to the 2022 census conducted by the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency (ZIMSTAT), Zimbabwe’s population was 15 178,979.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

More Than Half Of Zimbabwean Population In Need Of Food Aid

The United Nations humanitarian agency has launched an appeal for $430 million to feed 3.1 million Zimbabweans who are in urgent need of food aid after the country’s worst drought in four decades.
The severe drought is attributed to El Nino, a naturally occurring climatic phenomenon that warms parts of the Pacific Ocean every two to seven years.
In southern Africa, El Nino typically causes below-average rainfall, but this year has seen the worst drought in 40 years.
In the appeal, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator Edward Kallon said the money is to help the 3.1 million people in the most severely affected districts for the coming year. He said on Thursday:
<blockquote>
To respond to the scenario, this Flash Appeal requires US$429.3 million for humanitarian partners to target close to 3.1 million people.
The appeal aims to mobilise humanitarian action in support of the government-led response and is directly complementing the government’s own relief efforts.
We have ensured that this appeal is prioritised and principled, and we are confident that the activities planned are the most urgently needed to deliver immediate relief to the people who need it the most.
I therefore call on the international community to show solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe community to show solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe at this extremely challenging time and to stand with us as we step up our response to this devastating event.
</blockquote>
The U.N. agency said close to 2 million children, both boys and girls, could be forced to drop out of school due to the impact of the drought. Said Killion:
<blockquote>
Based on the two severities, 46 districts have been identified as a priority, with a target population of 3.1 million people requiring USD 429.3 million.
This approach is expected to maximise the impact of collective humanitarian action and to ensure that the areas of greatest need are reached first.
</blockquote>
The UN intervention will include livestock production, food assistance, cash transfers, and the construction of solarised boreholes and water pans that would provide drinking water for people and starving livestock.
Harvests for maize for the 2023-24 season are estimated at 700,000 tonnes, which is 70% down from last season.
Zimbabwe requires 2.2 million tonnes annually to meet the demand for humans and livestock, according to government crop assessment figures.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently declared a national disaster and launched an appeal for US$2 billion to try and mitigate the disaster.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

United Nations Seeks US$430 Million For Drought-hit Zimbabwe

With a food crisis looming in the country due to the current drought, CCC MPs have expressed fears that opposition supporters may be sidelined when the government commences food distribution in the countryside.
The Government last week said that 26 per cent of the country’s population is food insecure for the January to March period.
Matabeleland North is the most affected province with 42 per cent of its 830,000 population in urgent need of aid, compared to just 12 per cent in Mashonaland West province.
Cabinet Ministers have said food distribution is already underway in rural provinces and deny political interference in the process.
However, speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Chikanga MP Lynette Karenyi (CCC) expressed concerns that the government’s food distribution programme could be manipulated to benefit only ZANU PF supporters. She said, as quoted by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/mps-sound-alarm-over-partisan-food-distribution-level-of-grain-reserves/">ZimLive</a>:
<blockquote>
I want to find out from the Minister, what the policy is to ensure that people who are conducting the registration process are not going to use political party lines.
Although the law says the village heads are supposed to be apolitical, people who may be linked to the party I belong to will not be registered.
What is the policy about ensuring that the registration is not politicised?
</blockquote>
In response, the Deputy Minister of Public Service and Social Welfare, Mercy Dinha maintained that “no one is supposed to starve.” She said:
<blockquote>
We distribute, we don’t consider the political affiliation of a recipient. We distribute to people belonging to other parties, food is going to those areas because the president is saying no one is supposed to starve.
It means everyone, not ZANU PF members only. So, when we are distributing, we are giving to everyone.
We are leaving no one. It is going to go to all corners of the country.
</blockquote>
Mbizo MP Corban Madzivanyika (CCC) appeared to challenge the government’s claim that there is enough grain in stock to meet national needs. Said Madzivanyika:
<blockquote>
Just last week or two weeks ago, the parliamentary portfolio committee on lands committee on lands, agriculture, fisheries, water and rural development had a meeting with the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe which indicated that they have enough grain reserves.
A week later, the committee travelled across the country, in particular to Norton and Banket, but then we realised that there were no grain reserves in those areas.
</blockquote>
Public Service and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima denied claims the country’s grain reserves were empty saying: “A person cannot conclude after visiting two storage facilities and then conclude for the whole country”.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Opposition MPs Concerned Over Partisan Distribution Of Drought Relief, Level Of Grain Reserves

A government official has said the delivery of food aid to Zimbabweans has been delayed due to lack of funding.
Speaking during Parliament’s question and answer session, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare deputy minister Mercy Dinha said that the grain distribution programme should have started a long time ago but was delayed due to a lack of funding. She said, as quoted by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200024065/no-money-for-food-aid-distributiongovt">NewsDay</a>:
<blockquote>
This grain distribution programme should have started a long time ago, but we were waiting for funding from Treasury to transport the grain to silos that are closer to the people.
We have been allocated ZWL$3.7 billion to ensure that we cover registration as well as transporting the grain.
With regards to transportation, we have not received all the money, by the time we receive all the money, the process will proceed smoothly.
From the figure we were allocated, we received about ZWL$8 billion in February and yesterday we received ZWL$3,5 billion.
We have not received all the funds and that is the reason why we have those delays.
The grain is there, the only problem is transportation to take it to the nearest Grain Marketing Board depots so that people may receive grain closer to their doorsteps.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that 5.3 million Zimbabweans are facing insufficient food consumption due to the effects of the El Niño-induced drought.
In January, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a contribution of US$11.27 million to the WFP in Zimbabwe to provide food aid to 230 000 of the most vulnerable people in Mwenezi, Mangwe, Chivi, and Buhera districts during the January to March 2024 lean season.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"Govt Has No Money To Transport Grain From GMB To The Needy"

Japan has provided a US$1.36 million (¥200,000,000) contribution to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) that will help provide critical food assistance for over 40,000 vulnerable people in Zimbabwe.
In a Press Statement, the WFP said Japan’s contribution, totals 1,304 metric tonnes of cereals, pulses, and vegetable oil.
The donation is expected to support food-insecure communities during the upcoming 2024/25 lean season—from October this year to March next year—ensuring the most vulnerable families receive essential assistance in time.
The Ambassador of Japan to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Shinichi Yamanaka, expressed his country’s commitment to supporting people in need of food aid. He said:
<blockquote>
Japan is committed to supporting communities in need of emergency food assistance. I hope that this assistance will help vulnerable people to overcome the current crisis.
</blockquote>
Through the Lean Season Assistance, WFP complements the Government of Zimbabwe’s Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy, which aims to mitigate household food stock depletion, minimise harmful coping mechanisms, and prevent the most vulnerable people from falling deeper into food insecurity.
Francesca Erdelmann, WFP’s Representative and Country Director, said Japan’s contribution will go a long way to mitigating the effects of El Nino. Said Erdelmann:
<blockquote>
We appreciate the generosity of the Government of Japan, as this donation will significantly contribute to our efforts in alleviating hunger and improving the lives of those most in need.
The coming lean season could see more people requiring food assistance due to the impact of El Niño. Japan’s contribution will go a long way to ensure we can help communities.
</blockquote>
The El Niño phenomenon will have significant consequences for food and nutrition security across the region.
Communities affected will have lower harvests and fewer livelihood opportunities, culminating in a deeper and earlier 2024/2025 lean season.
Japan is a long-standing partner of WFP’s assistance in Zimbabwe. Since 2019, Japan has contributed over US$25.5 million to WFP-supported food assistance and resilience-building for vulnerable communities in the country.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Japan Donates US$1.36 Million Food Aid To Zimbabwe

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is set to provide US$11.27 million in aid to the World Food Programme (WFP) to assist Zimbabwe in mitigating the challenges posed by the anticipated El Nino-induced drought.
The funds will ensure that approximately 230 000 of the most vulnerable people in various districts in the country will access adequate food assistance during the January to March 2024 lean season.
The listed districts that will benefit from the program are Mwenezi, Mangwe, Chivi, and Buhera.
Mwenezi and Chivi are in Masvingo Province, Mangwe is in Matabeleland South Province, and Buhera is in Manicaland Province.
<a href="https://cite.org.zw/usaid-pledges-11-27m-to-combat-zimbabwes-drought-challenges/">CITE</a> reported WFP Zimbabwe Representative and Country Director, Francesca Erdelmann, as saying the funds will ensure that people in rural areas will meet their nutritional needs. She said:
<blockquote>
Our goal is to ensure that everyone in the country has access to nutritious foods and can consume the recommended amounts. The assistance we are acknowledging today, which includes cereals, pulses and fortified vegetable oil, is an important contribution to helping the most vulnerable people in rural areas to meet their nutritional needs. I would like to thank USAID for their significant contribution, which undoubtedly saves lives.
As WFP delivers assistance this lean season and beyond, it will continue to enhance its monitoring to best serve vulnerable families across the country. Furthermore, WFP will actively engage communities to strengthen their resilience against the anticipated El Niño drought.
This involves creating valuable assets such as boreholes, reservoirs, and drip irrigation systems and providing drought-resistant seeds to smallholder farmers.
</blockquote>
The funding from USAID will enable WFP to complement the Government-led Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy Programme, which will assist 2.7 million people in all districts across Zimbabwe.
According to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) report, 26 per cent of the rural population will not have enough cereal for consumption and need more than 100 000 metric tonnes of maize during the peak period.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

USAID Pledges $11.27 Million In Food Aid To Zimbabwe

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Mthuli Ncube has said ZWL$100 billion will be availed to deal with the consequences of the El Nino which the country is currently experiencing.
El Nino has negatively impacted the 2023/24 summer cropping season, threatening food security in the country.
<a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/treasury-to-avail-zwl100bn-to-deal-with-el-nino-impact/">Business Times</a> reported Ncube as saying the budget has allocated ZWL$100 billion for grains to enable people to cope with the effects of the looming food shortages. Said Ncube:
<blockquote>
The country is also expected to benefit from the development partners’ assistance to the tune of US$48 million through the Lean Season Assistance and Building Resilient Sustainable Community Systems Programmes implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP).
</blockquote>
Ncube also said the the country anticipated that some organisations, such as Foreign Commonwealth and Development offices would assist vulnerable Zimbabweans. He said:
<blockquote>
Foreign Common Wealth and Development Office is expected to support the vulnerable with cash transfers including food insecure people with a projected disbursement of US$ 1m in 2024.
Furthermore, the People’s Republic of China will provide food assistance in the first half of 2024.
</blockquote>
On Friday, 12 January, Public Service Labour and Social Welfare Minister, July Moyo, said that the Government was working with the World Food Programme (WFP) to distribute food aid to 2.7 million people who are food insecure from January up to March 2024.
Moyo said the Government will cover 56 districts, while WFP will cover four districts: Buhera, Mangwe, Mwenezi and Chivi.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mthuli Says Treasury To Avail ZWL$100 Billion To Combat El Nino Impact

The Government says it will distribute food aid to 2.7 million people who are food insecure from January up to March 2024.
Speaking at a Press conference in Harare on Friday, 12 January, Public Service Labour and Social Welfare Minister, July Moyo, said that the Government was working with the World Food Programme (WFP).
He said the Government will cover 56 districts, while WFP will cover four districts namely Buhera, Mangwe, Mwenezi and Chivi. Moyo said (<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200022013/govt-prepares-to-feed-27m-starving-people">via NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
Therefore, during the peak hunger period, between January and March 2024, it was projected that about 2 715 717 people would require food assistance.
The provinces with the highest food insecurity levels are Matabeleland North (42%) down from 58% from the previous year, Mashonaland Central (31%) and Masvingo Province (30%).
The most affected districts are Binga (62%), Kariba (60%), Mt Darwin (57%), Umguza (54%), Mbire (53%) and Mangwe (50%)…
The ministry requires 71 570mt [metric tonnes] of cereal to cater for the three months.
A total of ZWL$43.7 billion is required for the three months to cover the costs of registration of beneficiaries, grain transportation and distribution.
</blockquote>
Minister Moyo also said the Government had put in place measures to counter the effects of El Niño, which has adversely affected rainfall distribution during the ongoing 2023/24 rainy season. He said:
<blockquote>
The introduction of drought-tolerant crops that are distributed under the Presidential input scheme can help mitigate the drought effects. Communities in drought areas are encouraged to plant drought-resistant crops.
In addition, the government encourages households to practice the Pfumvudza/Intwasa concept, which tends to be producing good results.
The government also has projects that can also improve the food security of households.
These include the resuscitation of irrigation schemes, the drilling of boreholes, community gardens and income-generating projects.
</blockquote>
Previously, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and the Zimbabwe Peace Project have alleged that known opposition members have been excluded from accessing food aid sourced by the Government and humanitarian organisations.
Traditional leaders, particularly village heads, were accused of working with ZANU PF in the politicisation of food aid.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

2.7 Million Zimbabweans Need Food Aid - Govt

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a US$2 million contribution from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support more than 2 000 vulnerable families in three urban areas over the next year.
Under the initiative, WFP will create assets and develop transformative skills that will improve vulnerable families’ and communities’ access to livelihood opportunities.
Targeted communities will benefit from community-shared assets such as greenhouses, and income-generation activities.
As part of the programme, WFP will provide internal savings and lending (ISAL) training to boost financial literacy among participants while the youth will undertake digital and vocational skills development training. USAID Acting Mission Director Priscilla Sampil said:
<blockquote>
The Urban Resilience program will improve the ability of these urban households to meet their basic food and nutrition needs while reducing the negative coping strategies and need for urgent assistance.
This is our third round of USAID funding to the World Food Programme’s Urban Resilience Program, demonstrating the U.S. government’s commitment to tackling food insecurity and poverty in urban areas.
</blockquote>
Approximately 1.5 million people living in urban areas are food insecure according to the latest government assessments.
People who live in urban areas have fewer opportunities for subsistence livelihoods compared to rural areas.
As a result, most urban residents live hand-to-mouth, working multiple jobs in the informal sector.
Unless assistance is provided urgently, people will continue to face constraints due to economic challenges as a result of inflation and rising food costs. 
Francesca Erdelmann, the WFP Representative and Country Director, said:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwean cities are growing and face the challenge to provide decent livelihoods for their dwellers.
With USAID’s support, we will continue supporting income-generating activities while working with national and local institutions to advance policies and social protection for the urban poor.
</blockquote>
Since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, the United States has invested nearly $4.5 billion in Zimbabwe through initiatives to enhance food security, support economic resilience, improve health outcomes, and promote democratic governance.
USAID’s latest contribution to WFP’s food and resilience activities in Zimbabwe brings the total contributions from the United States to over US$8.9 million this year.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

USAID Extends US$2 Million To WFP To Address Urban Food Insecurity In Zimbabwe

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has today [20 October 2022] contributed US$36.7 million on behalf of the American people to help the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) provide food assistance at the peak of the lean season between October and March next year.
In a year marked by COVID-19, climatic shocks, and food and fuel price hikes, the contribution will help WFP provide assistance to some 700 000 people in eight districts in Zimbabwe: Bikita, Buhera, Chivi, Hwedza, Mangwe, Mt. Darwin, Mudzi and Nkayi.
To cope during the lean season – the period between household food stock depletion and the next harvest – rural Zimbabweans often reduce the number of quality meals consumed daily and borrow or sell their productive assets.
Food assistance will help mitigate these negative coping strategies and stop the most vulnerable from sliding further into food insecurity.
The latest estimates from the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) report, coordinated by the Food and Nutrition Council, show that some 3.8 million people will not have enough cereal to eat during the peak of the upcoming lean season.
With the contributions from USAID and other donors, WFP will complement the national Food Deficit Mitigation Programme and distribute food in partnership with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to 3.8 million people. Said United States Mission Chargé d’ Affaires Elaine French:
<blockquote>
Achieving food security during Zimbabwe’s lean season is always challenging. Geopolitical events on the other side of the world have made it even more so this year. But the United States of America is ready to assist.
Today, I am happy to announce US$36.7 million for 2022/23 Lean Season Assistance funding provided by the U.S. Government for the people of Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
<h2>Toward more resilient communities</h2>
To break the cycle of relapsing into food crises, USAID is aware that more investments are needed in resilience-building and early warning systems.
The chances that Zimbabwean smallholder farmers fall repeatedly into food insecurity decrease if they have access to productive assets and can save, borrow and lend money.
The U.S. Government has also pledged an additional US$9 million towards WFP’s food assistance for assets program in 2023.
Through this initiative, WFP will provide lifesaving food in exchange for work on community assets like feeder roads, community gardens, dams and irrigation systems.
The community-centred approach also promotes nutrition, gender equality, and social protection. Roberto Borlini, WFP Head of Programme in the country, said:
<blockquote>
WFP and the United States are committed to supporting humanitarian and social assistance for those who need it most in Zimbabwe.
While we will provide short-term assistance during this lean season, we will also continue creating livelihood opportunities, to increase the purchasing power of families, enabling them to meet their food needs.
</blockquote>
The latest contribution brings the total funding from USAID to WFP activities to US$44.2 million for 2022.
The United States remains the largest bilateral donor of emergency humanitarian assistance in Zimbabwe.

USAID and WFP Join Hands As Lean Season Sets-in Rural Zimbabwe

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says it has established modalities to ensure that the allocation of food aid is not politicised in rural areas ahead of the 2023 general elections.
USAID on Thursday gave the World Food Programme (WFP) US$36 million worth of food aid that will be distributed to people living in rural areas who are facing food shortages.
USAID director for Humanitarian Assistance and Resilience, Marialice Ariens, said they are working with WFP and Government to make sure food aid reaches the needy. She said:
<blockquote>
The United States government takes targeting seriously. We have key beneficiary criteria when we decide who we are going to assist.
WFP also has a validation exercise, so a follow-up post the initial target to make sure that the people targeted are indeed the most vulnerable will be done.
</blockquote>
Opposition political parties have on numerous occasions accused ZANU PF of withholding food aid from perceived opposition supporters as a form of punishment and using the same to reward those who vote for the ruling party.
According to WFP, 3 million Zimbabweans are projected to face acute food shortage in the first quarter of 2023 owing to poor rainfall during the 2021/22 summer cropping season.
WFP head of programmes in Zimbabwe, Roberto Borlini said they will continue working in collaboration with the United States of America to support those in need of assistance. Said Borlini:
<blockquote>
WFP and the United States are committed to supporting humanitarian and social assistance for those who need it in Zimbabwe.
While we will provide short-term assistance during this lean season, we will also continue creating livelihood opportunities, to increase the purchasing power of families, enabling them to meet their food needs.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/usaid-wary-of-food-politicisation/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

USAID Pledges To Guard Against Politicisation Of Food Aid

The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) says it is planning a food relief programme targeting 700 000 people in Zimbabwe.
The country’s food deficit has been exacerbated by a poor harvest and the Ukraine war.
WFP country representative Francesca Edelmann on Tuesday told Reuters that Zimbabwe’s government is working with agencies to provide food aid for 3.8 million people.
WFP has budgeted US$40 million for the food aid programme to cushion millions over the peak of the hunger season. Said Edelmann:
<blockquote>
I do not think this is a famine as yet, but that does not mean that it is good. We are preparing for a response that will take off in October up to March.
We are working with government on a joint plan for the food deficit mitigation programme and that is for 3.8 million people.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe requires 2.2 million tonnes of maize annually for human and livestock consumption.
However, the govenment has said it expects 1.56 million tonnes from the 2021-2022 growing season due to poor rainfall.
Edelmann said the number of food insecure people had risen from 2.9 million to 3.8 million.
WFP warned that more households could go hungry as grain stocks dwindle. | <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/13/wfp-plans-food-relief-for-700000-citizens-in-zimbabwe">Al Jazeera</a>

WFP Plans Food Relief For 700 000 People In Zimbabwe

The government has banned non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from distributing food aid directly to villagers in rural areas without the involvement of traditional leaders.
CCC has, however, condemned the move, describing it as a ploy by the government and ZANU PF to deny opposition supporters food aid.
The Acting Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, July Moyo said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had ordered that all food distribution programmes should be done through community structures.
Moyo was speaking during a Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy Sensitisation meeting in Bulawayo Thursday. He said:
<blockquote>
Chiefs are selected by the communities, so are the headmen and village heads and the president just signs that. These community structures give neutrality to what we want to do.
Yes, a village is made of people who come from various political and church persuasions but in every village, headmen or head-women know how many households they have.
In order to be transparent, we as the government need to know about everybody who is going to be intervening, so that if they are making mistakes on the ground, those from the government can say, ‘this is not the agreement, you should work through these structures.’
Transparency is knowing people on the ground whether as NGOs or anybody.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, CCC Bulawayo spokesperson, Swithern Chiroodza, said some traditional leaders have publicly declared their allegiance to ZANU PF and they may use food aid as a weapon to punish opposition supporters in their areas. He said:
<blockquote>
It is on record that some traditional leaders have openly shown their allegiance to Zanu PF.
This new directive is a ploy by ZANU PF to use the traditional leaders to deny opposition supporters food aid.
Food aid should be distributed by village and ward committees involving all stakeholders.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/ngos-banned-from-distributing-food-aid-without-chiefs-involvement-move-seen-as-a-zanu-pf-campaign-plot-ahead-of-2023-polls/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Govt Bans NGOs From Distributing Food Aid Without Chiefs’ Involvement

Hundreds of migrants, among them Zimbabweans, were on Friday last week turned away at a food parcel distribution centre in Jeppestown, South Africa, despite being registered on the list.
GroupUp reported that about 400 immigrants were turned away and only South Africans, about 100, received the food parcels, which meant to last a family for a month. When the food distribution truck left it was still full of food.
Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD) spokesperson Feziwe Ndwayana said that the department “does not discriminate against foreign nationals”.
Ndwayana was responding to civil society organisations that had expressed concern over the exclusion of immigrants from government food relief distribution programmes.
Ethel Musonza of Zimbabwe Isolated Women in South Africa (ZIWISA) had registered the immigrants in August last year to receive food parcels from the Gauteng DSD Buyisa Ubuntu Food Bank but they were returned away.
Things became so heated that Musonza, assaulted and threatened by South Africans, had to flee the event at the Mana Icreja Crista Church, corner of Andries and Charlene Street, while GroundUp was there on late Friday afternoon. Said Musonza:
<blockquote>
People from the Department tore up some of the forms belonging to foreign nationals in front of me. Instead, they started filling out new forms for the SA citizens they gave parcels to.
If the Department is claiming that foreign nationals were given food on this day it is just trying to clear its name. All foreign nationals went home empty-handed.
</blockquote>
Among the immigrants turned away on Friday were people with disabilities, blind people who are surviving by begging, and domestic workers who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
They were mostly Zimbabweans, Mozambicans, Congolese and Malawians who live on the streets or in dilapidated buildings in Doornfontein, inner-city Johannesburg.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.groundup.org.za/article/immigrants-were-refused-food-parcels-jeppestown-distribution/">GroundUp</a></h4>

Zimbabwean Migrants Denied Food Parcels In South Africa

The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has revealed that ruling Zanu PF officials abused subsided mealie-meal and food aid by distributing it exclusively to party supporters during the COVID-19-induced lockdowns, thus worsening hunger among vulnerable communities in most parts of the country.
ZPP alleged that Zanu PF officials bought all subsidised mealie-meal and then sold it only to Zanu PF card-carrying members. ZPP said in its April 2021 report:
<blockquote>Some Zanu PF leaders purchased all the subsidized mealie-meal and went on to sell it to Zanu PF members only, thus depriving thousands of people desperately needing the staple food, but did not have Zanu PF membership cards.
The partisan distribution of government food aid is a recurring problem in most rural areas which have been extensively reported on by various civil society organisations.
It has left thousands of people food insecure when they desperately need food assistance during the difficult times of COVID-19.</blockquote>
Zanu PF has in the past consistently denied reports that its officials have been politicising food aid.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/05/zanu-pf-monopolising-food-aid-zpp/?q=%2F2021%2F05%2Fzanu-pf-monopolising-food-aid-zpp%2F" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

ZANU PF Politicised Food Aid During Lockdown - ZPP

ZANU PF officials in Matabeleland North’s Tsholotsho district are accused of denying opposition supporters food aid as the ruling party starts campaigning ahead of the 2023 elections.
According to the latest monitoring report by the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), in one incident in Tsholotsho South, citizens were told by ZANU PF activists only identified as Fani Moyo and Lameck Tshuma that in order for them to benefit from food aid, they had to be part of the ZANU PF cell groups in the area. ZPP said in the report:
As in other provinces, food and other aid have remained tools of political manipulation for poor villagers.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/02/audio-only-zanu-pf-members-will-get-jobs-in-government/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">This comes after an audio recording of an unidentified ZANU PF official who was telling party members that civil servants will be fired if they don’t like the ruling party went viral on social media platforms.</a>
The official also said a time will come when only ZANU PF members will be employed in the civil service.
He said prospective employees will have to prove first that they are bona fide ZANU PF cadres before they are offered a job in government.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2021/05/09/opposition-supporters-denied-food-aid/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Standard</a></h4>

Opposition Supporters Denied Food Aid In Tsholotsho

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today appealed for an additional US$204 million to support over four million Zimbabweans of the most food-insecure over the next six months.
Millions of Zimbabweans have been devastated by a year of drought, rising hyperinflation and COVID-19 and the approach of the so-called lean season could compound the situation.
The appeal comes ahead of the ‘lean’ season, which risks pushing some 6.9 million people—nearly half of Zimbabwe’s population—into hunger by its March peak. Francesca Edelmann, WFP Zimbabwe’s representative said:
<blockquote>More than half of Zimbabweans in the rural areas are left no alternative but to skip meals, reduce portion size or sell off precious belongings in order to cope.
We are deeply concerned that if WFP does not receive enough funding to reach the four million people it intends to, families will be further pushed to the limit.</blockquote>
At least 7.6 million people have fallen into poverty this year — a million more than in 2019, according to the recent ZimVAC rural livelihoods assessment.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/wfp-seeks-204-million-to-provide-food-relief-to-zimbabweans-1.1538009" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ReliefWeb</a></h4>

WFP Seeks US$204 Million To Provide Food Relief To Hungry Zimbabweans

Lesotho has been hit the hardest by the novel coronavirus as it is in need of 91 000 tonnes of food  aid to support vulnerable households in the next 6 months, SABC reports. According to the publication, almost half the population of Lesotho are food insecure and they are threatened by hunger:
<blockquote>The pandemic has hit Lesotho hard. The country was already facing food shortages due to drought when it arrived. The Lesotho Disaster Management Authority has released a 2020 Vulnerability Assessment report stating that almost 800 000 people are threatened with hunger. It says at least 91 000 tonnes of staple food will be needed to assist the affected households over the next six months.</blockquote>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wNNroZaMq6E?feature=oembed" title="Lesotho hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic" width="640"></iframe></div>

Lesotho Hit The Hardest By COVID-19, Food Shortages Threaten 800 000 People

141 659 households in Matabeleland South Province are is need of food aid, The Chronicle reports. This was revealed by Matabeleland South provincial social welfare officer, Mr Criswell Nyakudya who said they had requested to increase the number of people receiving food aid in the region as just above 63 000 households were currently receiving food aid.
Myakudya said;
<blockquote>The drought relief programme is ongoing in all seven districts in the province in Matabeleland South Province. We currently have 68 380 households that are receiving grain which is a total of 3 419 metric tonnes per month. We have made a request for our allocation as a province to be increased as the number of vulnerable people has increased significantly especially with this prevailing pandemic and more people are in need of assistance.
About 141 659 households in the province are vulnerable and in need of assistance which brings the total amount of grain we need to 7 082 from 3 419 metric tonnes which we are receiving now. We sent this request last month and we hope it will be considered. In this list we also included people that are vulnerable as a result of Covid-19. Our social welfare officers working with District Development Coordinators and the community leadership assisted us in identifying these people</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the UN said over <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/04/09/united-nations-mobilising-us130-million-to-head-off-hunger-in-zimbabwe/">$100 Million was needed to provide emergency food aid</a> to starving rural communities in Zimbabwe.
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/142-000-households-in-matabeleland-south-province-in-need-of-food-aid/">The Chronicle</a>

More That 140 000 Households In Matabeleland In Need Of Food Aid

Villagers in Silobela are reportedly parting with various amounts of money to access food aid in the district as Zanu PF officials and village heads are demanding that they give them money to access food aid, The Standard reports.
A villager from Jekiseni shopping center Ward 23 in Silobela spoke to the Southern eye said:
<blockquote>It is a sad situation here. Orphans, widows, under-privileged members of the society are not benefiting from the government food aid scheme.
The food aid is being abused and we see trucks getting into homesteads of a few people who are currently stocking the rice and maize in their backyards yet people are suffering.</blockquote>
A  local councillors’ aid is reportedly charging $45 per household which he says is for transporting the donated food from the DDF depot to their village for them to access the donated rice from China. Most beneficiaries are being denied food aid because they can’t afford to pay the required $45. Similar cases of alleged food aid abuse have also been reported in Khoza, Bharange and Matimba villages.
More: <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2020/03/01/food-aid-abuse-rife-midlands/">The Standard</a>

Zanu PF Officials In Silobela Forcing Villagers Pay To Access Food Aid - Report

Villagers in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Makonde" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Makonde</a> District have implored aid agencies operating in the area to avail food aid to all people as “everyone is starving”.
Raymond Mazani of Gamburi village in Makonde appealed to Red Cross and World Food Programme (WFP) not to screen beneficiaries, which is being done by community leaders, saying such an approach was open to abuse. He said:
<blockquote>There is no need for vetting of villagers to see who is worse off because everyone is starving here … they should try to give at least something to each and every household.</blockquote>
Makonde legislator <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kindness_Paradza" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kindness Paradza</a> (Zanu PF) said that approximately 67 000 people in his area are in need of food aid.
Meanwhile, Red Cross spokesperson Morris Machawira said it is up to the villagers to vet themselves as his organisation has provided about 57 045 villagers with food aid.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/02/everyone-is-starving-villagers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Villagers Demand An End To Screening Of Food Aid Beneficiaries

Kenedy Kaitano writing for The Zimbabwean said the president was misleading diplomats that food aid was not being politicised because it is being politicised and the president was doing nothing to stop his MPs from distributing food along party lines. Kaitano also said food donors were supposed to distribute food in front of all political parties to ensure fair distribution.
Kaitano opined:
<blockquote>
<div dir="ltr">Our immediate priority as government is to guarantee food security by ensuring that all the vulnerable households throughout the country have food”, Emmerson Mnangagwa told diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe early February 2020. However, his members of parliament and officials are on record denying members of the opposition food.</div>
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<div dir="ltr">However, Mnangagwa has been silent when Zanu PF, including Parliamentarians, have been seen on camera openly saying that the members of the opposition will not be given food assistance. Not a single one of those wayward officials has been reprimanded.</div>
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<div dir="ltr">A recent report by the Movement for Democratic Change following an assessment visit indicated that politicisation of aid and farming inputs has seen known MDC supporters who have critical needs being deprived. The report went further to say some of the community members reported that government Ministers who include Perrence Shiri had visited the community and politicised the crisis by threatening MDC supporters and denigrating the MDC President Advocate Chamisa resulting in known MDC members became targeted and excluded when farming inputs were distributed. The MDC report cannot be denied given the hard evidence that has been provided before.
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<div dir="ltr">The United Nations and the Diplomatic community must as Mnangagwa what guarantees there are that food assistance will not be politicised when it is already being politicised and Mnangagwa has not lifted a finger at his wayward officials. Food donors must be allowed to distribute food aid in the presence of representatives of all political parties as Zanu PF governments are hypocritical and always try to pull the wool over the eyes of the international community. Until Mnangagwa is heard reprimanding his wayward officials, his word should never be trusted.</div>
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<div dir="ltr">More: <a href="https://www.thezimbabwean.co/2020/02/mnangagwa-misleading-diplomats/">The Zimbabwean</a></div>

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