Zimbabwe's 7.7 million people, or half the country's total population, will need food aid this year after a devastating drought that dramatically reduced crop yields, the media reported, citing the Zimbabwean cabinet.
Of these, approximately 6 million people in rural areas and 1.7 million people in urban areas will reportedly need food assistance. In addition, 4.5 million children will need school meals.
Earlier, the media reported, citing an estimate by the country's agriculture ministry that Zimbabwe's staple grain production for the 2023-24 season, which ends May 31, is estimated at 634,699 tonnes, down 72% from last year.
The government has outlined food security initiatives to combat hunger, with an important element of the plan being the expansion of food distribution programs.
In early May, Zimbabwe's Information Minister, Jenphan Muswere, said that despite the president's declaration of a state of emergency, the government has assured people that there is enough grain to last until the next harvest.
He then added that the grain shortage would be covered by private sector imports, indicating the possibility of importing 1,000,000 tonnes between April 2024 and March 2025 to mitigate the effects of the drought.
In addition, on Thursday, a delegation of over 20 members of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) traveled to Brazil to negotiate the purchase of 400,000 metric tons of yellow and white maize to avert a hunger crisis in Zimbabwe, local media said.
GMAZ officials told the media that Brazil has traditionally been one of Zimbabwe's main grain suppliers during the drought.
In southern Africa, Zimbabwe became the third country to declare drought a national disaster, after Malawi and Zambia, a measure which is said to allow for more resources to address the crisis.