

Media CenterUSAID partners with CRS in Zimbabwe to respond to El Niño-induced drought

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Tapfuma Murove
Catholic Relief Services
[email protected]
HARARE, ZIMBABWE, May 16, 2024 – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has partnered with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Zimbabwe to reach more than 13,400 people in dire need of food, through the Zwitile project worth US $2 million. The El Niño-induced drought has resulted in high temperatures and erratic rainfall in Zimbabwe and other parts of Southern Africa, affecting crops and livestock. Zwitile means ‘Do it yourself’.The project will provide ‘Food Assistance for Assets (FFA)’ and immediate food assistance for vulnerable households in Gwanda and Mangwe districts of Matabeleland South Province, as well as skills, resources, and support to rehabilitate dams and restore the natural landscape. The project aims to reduce communities’ dependency on humanitarian assistance.
Due to the El Niño-induced drought, most families in Gwanda and Mangwe are vulnerable to hunger because of crop failure, livestock deaths and depleted food stocks. An analysis by CRS/Zimbabwe projects a rise in food prices and food shortages in many parts of Zimbabwe.
In response to the crisis CRS, with support from USAID, has developed programs to strengthen communities’ resilience to and preparedness for future droughts and disasters. The FFA program will work with communities to create healthier natural environments, reduce the risks and impact of climate shocks, and increase food productivity.
CRS is partnering with the Caritas Archdiocese of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe to support the food needs and rehabilitate the community productive assets of 3,200 drought-affected households from 10 areas in Gwanda and Mangwe. CRS/Zimbabwe and Caritas will mobilize project participants through a community-based planning process. Each household will receive 50kgs cereals, 10kgs pulses, and 3.75 liters of cooking oil every month (over five months). This is conditional on their participation in community asset-building activities. The project will also provide unconditional food assistance to vulnerable community members including the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with other special circumstances, who may not have the capacity to participate in asset-building.
“Our goal is to ensure that households meet their basic food requirements by promoting climate-smart agriculture practices. We look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to help vulnerable people, together, during this difficult time. We appreciate USAID’s partnership to address the immediate food needs through much-needed emergency relief to affected communities,” said Dr. Tapfuma Murove, CRS Country Representative in Zimbabwe.
###
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. For more information, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org and follow Catholic Relief Services/Zimbabwe on social media at Facebook, and Twitter, Instagram and Catholic Relief Services global accounts at: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Online Tools:
CRS Online Press Room: www.crs.org/press-room