By Caroline Chiimba
The El-Nino induced drought has been a major threat to food security across the country, exacerbating existing issues of hunger and malnutrition in vulnerable communities. Statistics show that more than 2.8 billion people are unable to afford a healthy diet while 733 million people globally are facing hunger.
Cognizant of this year’s World Food Day theme titled, ‘Right to foods for a better life and better future,’ Nutrition Action Zimbabwe (NAZ) in collaboration with partners and donors has reiterated the commitment to empower local communities to adopt sustainable climate smart agricultural practices, small livestock production and partake in cash for work activities to improve food security.
While the impact of El Nino on food production and access to food resources has been devastating, worsening existing inequalities in access to food and nutrition, marginalized vulnerable communities in Mat South, Kariba, Gokwe North and Mwenezi were cushioned from hunger through timely interventions.
Under the USAID funded ‘Strengthening community resilience through diversified livelihoods in Gokwe North and Kariba districts’, project, communities were trained and capacitated on poultry production, rehabilitated three dip tanks and constructed one weir through cash for work activities.
“I worked three months during the first cycle of the Mamvuramachena dip tank rehabilitation, earning US$65 per month. The cash was life changing and a cowrie of hope for my household and community as we were at the brink of destruction due to hunger,” Chipo Miyozi, a mother of six in Kariba district said.
Delicious Ngwenya, a 19year old pregnant mother also couldn’t hide her happiness after getting her cash payout. She has been working at the weir site for two months doing light duties like fetching water.
“This initiative came at an opportune time when I really needed the money. As you can see am expectant and was really stressed about how I will get preparation items for the baby and put food on the table. We are farmers but this year the El-Nino drought left us hopeless,” she said.
In Manhanga village, Kariba district, Fidelis Mapurisana a beneficiary who is also a lead farmer has started picking eggs from the Black Australorp hens he received under the project. He is among many 600 households which received 15 (day old) chicks in April this year as part of the project.
“This poultry project is a shot in the arm for my family and community at large. Our crops succumbed to heat, but our hope has been restored through the poultry project as it has allowed us to enjoy nutritious eggs and generating income through sale of surplus eggs,” Mapurisana said.
Meanwhile, under the European Union funded project in Gwanda and Mangwe districts, nutrition gardens are serving as a beacon of hope in the midst of EI-Nino induced drought. These gardens are offering sustainable sources of food to communities and generating income through sales of surplus produce, thus enhancing the community’s resilience to drought.
“Our garden has 22 members with one person owning 17 beds. We have grown crops like vegetables, cabbage, carrots, okra, onions, butternut, beans, watermelons, lettuce and tomatoes. This garden has become a haven for our community as they have access to fresh produce and fruits. Children in our community are well nourished despite the drought,” said Marvis Ncube, a 62 year old widow from Rainbow Garden.
Thus, World Food Day highlights the importance of food security, and the challenges faced by communities, especially during natural disasters like the El Nino-induced drought. It also serves as a reminder to act in nourishing our communities, and our planet.
“By making small changes in our daily lives and advocating for policies that support sustainable food production, we can work towards a future where everyone has access to healthy and nutritious food,” said NAZ director.