The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) is urgently seeking US$26,8 million to address the devastating impacts of an El Niño-induced drought in Zimbabwe.
The funds, according to the UN agency, will help to combat water scarcity, food insecurity and nutrition crises as well as potential flooding hazards and epidemics.
Focusing on the most vulnerable districts in Zimbabwe, Unicef is targeting to assist at least two million children at risk of contracting preventable diseases and malnutrition.
At least 45 million children in eastern and southern Africa are at high risk of contracting diseases and malnutrition caused by climate change.
In its 2024 Humanitarian Action for Children report released recently, Unicef called on donors and partners to support its critical response effort and prevent the long-term impacts of the El Niño-induced drought on vulnerable communities.
“Unicef is seeking US$26,8 million to address the impacts of an El Niño-induced drought that is expected to result in water scarcity, food insecurity and nutrition crises.
“The appeal also considers potential flooding hazards as the 2023/24 rainfall season unfolds, along with epidemics and outbreaks of diarrhoeal diseases, including the ongoing cholera outbreak.
“It also aims to address the protection needs of children who may be on the move due to a potential large influx of returnees from South Africa once exemption permits expire,” the agency said.
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Unicef added: “Will also be used to strengthen community resilience to future droughts and other climate-related disasters.”
This, according to Unicef, includes investing in infrastructure, such as water storage systems and irrigation equipment, as well as providing training and capacity-building for local communities to better prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Unicef, according to the report, will also be launching a US$15 million programme to tackle the nutrition crisis, food insecurity, and water and sanitation issues in vulnerable communities.
“Out of the total appeal, US$5 million is planned to tackle the ongoing nutrition crisis, which has been exacerbated by food insecurity.
“An additional US$4 million will support 3 000 households with six months of payments and provide a one-time payment of US$100 to 18 600 households in food-insecure districts supported by Unicef.
“This will help them to better prepare for and respond to the impending drought caused by El Niño. Approximately US$6 million will be designated to address the water and sanitation crisis. The primary goal is to contain the cholera outbreak and prevent further diarrhoeal disease outbreaks.”
The agency said Zimbabwe had a high national child food poverty rate of 83%, adding that children are not receiving the diverse diet needed for healthy growth and development.
“Without this funding, 1,6 million children are at risk of dying from preventable diseases and conditions such as measles and malnutrition, and more than half a million out-of-school children may fail to return to school,” the report said.
The intervention is expected to cover a geographical focus of Zimbabwe’s six most vulnerable districts — Beitbridge, Bikita, Binga, Buhera, Chipinge and Chiredzi — with overlapping risks, including the risk of cholera and the projected impact of El Niño.
