Responding to Humanitarian Needs and Strengthening Resilience to Food Insecurity
Highlights
• An estimated 16 percent of the rural population (1.5 million people) is expected to be food insecure during the peak of the lean season (January to March 2016).
• Through a joint programme with the government, WFP plans to provide food assistance to up to 856,000 people in 36 districts during this period through cash based and in-kind food transfers.
• 204,611 (104,761 females and 99,850 males) people received lean season assistance in October.
• WFP urgently requires US$ 25.78 million to meet the needs of 611,000 people in 28 districts over the next 5 months.
Situation Update
• According to the 2015 rural livelihood assessment report produced by the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee1 (ZimVAC), an estimated 1.5 million people, or 16 percent of the rural population, will be food insecure during the peak hunger period (January – March 2016). This represents a 163 percent increase compared to the 2014/15 consumption year.
• The National Climate Outlook Forum predicts the strongest El Niño in 35 years for the 2015/16 agricultural season, with normal or below normal rainfall patterns. Based on historical experiences, this will likely result in drier than average conditions and another poor performing cropping season in the context of significantly reduced regional stocks.
• The average maize grain price for October 2015 was $0.37/kg, which is 132 percent and 119 percent of last year’s and the five-year average, respectively.
In Numbers
1.5 million people affected by food insecurity at the peak of the lean season (Jan-March 2016)
163 percent** increase in food insecurity from previous season
WFP plans to assist 856,000 people in 36 districts during this season, at a cost of US$51.55 million.
Funding Update :
US$25.78 million required for WFP’s lean season response in next 5 months
Contributions received (30 Oct 2015):
USAID: US$18.5 million
UN CERF: US$4.25 million
Switzerland: US$514,000
WFP Internal Resources: US$2.4 million