By Agencies
THE World Food Programme (WFP) says it urgently requires about US$36,5 million to sustain food assistance programmes in Zimbabwe over the next six months, as the country grapples with worsening food insecurity driven by climate shocks and structural economic pressures.
In its latest country brief, the UN agency said it assisted about 161 000 people in April, distributing 2 890 tonnes of food and providing US$67 400 in cash transfers to vulnerable households.
Zimbabwe continues to face intersecting climatic and economic pressures that are undermining livelihoods and increasing hunger risks, particularly in rural communities affected by recurrent droughts and erratic rainfall patterns.
According to the report, the 2025-26 Lean Season Assistance programme reached 151 000 beneficiaries in March compared to the targeted 199 000, following improvements in food supply pipeline challenges.
“WFP and partners launched the 2025-26 Lean Season Assistance in January to support 199 072 people by March. February assistance reached 125 263 due to pipeline breaks and delayed cereals and pulses, but improved conditions in March enabled assistance to about 151 000 people. The cycle was extended to April to complete distribution,” WFP said.
It said the 2025-26 farming season presented a mixed outlook, despite planted cereal area reaching 103% of the national target.
“According to the First Round Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment (CLAFA-1), area planted to staple cereals reached 103% of the national target (2,43 million hectares), slightly below 2024-25 levels,” the report read.
The organisation also warned that reduced maize hectarage in key surplus-producing provinces such as Manicaland and Mashonaland Central can negatively affect national food availability.
