European Union has announced an additional 10 million Euros in funding to help as President Emmerson Mnangagwa today declared a national disaster to Zimbabwe.
The African country is facing a critical food shortage due to a combination of climatic shocks exacerbated by the economic crisis with no expectations of improvement until April 2019.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing told the Cabinet that the National disaster is in regard to the El-Nino-induced drought, which adversely affected the country’s agriculture production and food security in the 2018/2019 agricultural season.
The declaration paves way for the launch of the Country’s appeal for drought relief assistance and the associated resilience-building support by the international community according to information coming from today’s Cabinet briefing.
European Union’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, said the western regional group is stepping up its support to the people of Zimbabwe, as the country further dives into crisis.
5.5 million people in Zimbabwe lacked enough food to meet their needs by June 2019.
“The European Union is stepping up its support to the people of Zimbabwe,” the “Our assistance will support those most in need during the most critical period until their next harvest,” Stylianides said.
“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.”
The EU humanitarian support will aim to challenge the impact of food shortages on most vulnerable people whose livelihoods fell into a curse of recurring climate disasters combined with the high cost of food and agricultural inputs, such as seeds.
The aid will also 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.
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