Zimbabwe says up to 4 million need food aid after drought

The number of Zimbabweans requiring food aid has risen to 4 million, up from 3 million initially, a state-owned newspaper reported on Tuesday, as the country grapples with its worst drought in more than two decades.

A regional drought worsened by the El Niño weather phenomenon has affected South Africa, Malawi and Zambia as well as Zimbabwe, leaving tens of thousands of cattle dead, reservoirs depleted and crops destroyed.

The drought has hit Zimbabwe the most and last month the country appealed for $1.6 billion in aid to help pay for grain and other food for 3 million people.

“The compilation of the new beneficiary register has now been finalised. Indications are that the figure of vulnerable households requiring food assistance could be as high as four million people,” Prisca Mupfumira, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister said.

Formerly known as the breadbasket of Africa, Zimbabwe has suffered perennial shortages in recent years and has relied on importing grain from neighbouring countries to meet its needs.

Mugabe has blamed low farm yields on erratic rains due to climate change, as well as sanctions imposed by western countries over the government’s human rights record.

Critics say the food shortages have been caused partially by land reforms enacted by the president since 2000, when the government oversaw the often violent eviction of white farmers.

Many farms are underutilised, and the government has vowed to hold an audit to ensure agriculture land is put into production.