BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Zimbabwe’s economic crisis has plunged the country into poverty, with the value of its currency plummeting and causing food prices to skyrocket.
“Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are now widespread throughout the country…access to food on the market is being increasingly constrained by above-normal prices and significantly below-normal incomes,” warns the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET).
The currency crisis has led to a 43% increase in the official exchange rate, causing prices of goods and services to surge.
“This development followed significant increases in parallel market exchange rates in the last few weeks, some even more than double the official rates, which drove corresponding sharp increases in ZWG prices of goods (including food) and services mainly in the formal sectors,” notes FEWS NET.
Water scarcity is another major concern, with most rivers, streams, and dams drying up. “Water challenges are persisting, especially in the typical low rainfall areas, limiting and even preventing engagement in some livelihood activities, as well as negatively affecting some irrigation schemes,” reports FEWS NET.
Households are now traveling longer distances and spending more time to access water for household and livestock purposes. “Some households are resorting to dry riverbed sand-scooping for water,” adds FEWS NET.
The situation is dire, and immediate action is needed to address the currency crisis, food shortages, and water scarcity.
“Humanitarian food assistance needs are expected to increase into early 2025…and be significantly higher than last year and the five-year average,” warns FEWS NET.
The government and international organizations must work together to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need and support economic recovery efforts.