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Zimbabwe has been officially removed from the hunger hotspot list, according to the latest joint report by the Food and Agriculture (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP). The report developed with financial support from the European Union through the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) highlights Zimbabwe’s progress in building resilience and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, expressed pride in Zimbabwe’s achievement.
“Zimbabwe exiting the Hunger Hotspot list represents more than just statistical shift, it signifies renewed hope, enhanced stability and the potential for accelerated economic and social development,” he said.
By Gamuchirai Mapako
The designation as a hunger hotspot and previously triggered emergency aid and focused attention immediate crises. Now with this label lifted, the country can shift its focus toward long-term development, attracting investments and strengthening its food systems.
The hunger hotspot program, a collaborative initiative by FAO and WFP, serves as an early warning system to identify regions facing acute food insecurity. Issues such as conflicts, climate shocks and economic instability often drives these crises. Zimbabwe’s inclusion on the list over the past decade reflected the severe challenges it faced, particularly during periods of drought and economic turmoil. From 2014 to 2019, the country appeared on the list six times, with some households struggling to access sufficient, safe and nutritious food.
This achievement is said to be a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Zimbabwean government with support from FAO and other partners, prioritising food security as a key pillar.
Instrumental reforms have included support for smallholder farmers, improved access to agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertilisers and the promotion of climate resilient farming practices. The Pfumvudza/Intwasa program, for instance, has played a pivotal role in enhancing productivity and sustainability among small scale farmers.
While Zimbabwe’s progress is commendable, challenges remain, economic instability, inflation and infrastructure gap are a threat to this success and continue to hinder development. Climate change also poses an ongoing threat, with droughts and extreme weather events becoming more frequent.
Zimbabwe’s success underscores the importance of strategic investments and partnership. The people and the government alongside external partners should remain committed to addressing these challenges to ensure long-term food security.
The FAO support has been instrumental in providing technical expertise, capacity building and targeted interventions to address the root causes of food insecurity in Zimbabwe. Efforts have focused on several keys such as promoting climate-smart agriculture, strengthening agricultural value chains, enhancing animal production and support policy and institutional strengthening.
The removal from the list underscores the importance of sustained commitment, strategic investments and effective partnerships inn achieving food security. To solidify this success, the country must enhance resilience, consolidate progress and address remaining challenges.
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