Why 7 million Zimbabweans could face hunger in 2025

Zimbabwe is grappling with an escalating humanitarian crisis, with the number of people projected to face food insecurity in early 2025 expected to nearly double to seven million, up from four million in 2024.

The situation is driven by a combination of climate-related shocks, public health emergencies, and economic instability, according to a recent UNICEF Zimbabwe humanitarian report.

The crisis is largely attributed to an El Niño-induced drought that has severely disrupted food production, alongside multiple public health threats, including cholera and malaria.

As of April 30, the country had recorded 740 cholera cases and 20 deaths, with a 2% case fatality rate. "The main drivers of cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases remain poor access to safe water and inadequate sanitation coverage, particularly in informal settlements such as farming, fishing and artisanal mining communities,” the report stated.

In addition, 125,021 cases of common diarrhoea and 54 associated deaths were recorded by April. Dysentery and typhoid also remain concerns, with 7,588 and 60 suspected cases, respectively, reported since January.

The crisis has extended to the education sector. Since the onset of the rainy season, 92 schools have been damaged, mainly involving collapsed roofs on classroom blocks and teachers’ cottages. “Communities and local authorities are doing what they can to mitigate the impact of heavy rains and ensure the safety of students and teachers,” said the Education Cluster Update.

There has been a marked rise in school absenteeism and dropouts, primarily due to hunger. Emergency teaching materials are being rapidly depleted, leaving gaps in the national response.

In response, UNICEF and its partners have scaled up humanitarian operations. A total of 1,176 health workers, including 611 women and 565 men, have been trained in cholera surveillance and infection control. Nutrition programmes are also being expanded in the 18 most affected districts, with a focus on preventing all forms of malnutrition.

“There is a critical need to expand the coverage of programmes aimed at preventing all forms of malnutrition,” the report noted. “This includes scaling up care groups and strengthening district food and nutrition security committees.”