World Food Programme To Distribute Aid In Zim Using Drought Insurance Payout
The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced a significant aid initiative in Zimbabwe, following a recent payout from the African Risk Capacity (ARC) drought insurance policy.
The US$6 million allocated to WFP will support food assistance for nearly 252,500 people across three districts affected by the ongoing El Niño-induced drought.
Zimbabwe received a total of US$32 million from the African Union’s ARC agency to address the severe impact of the drought, which has devastated agricultural production and contributed to widespread food insecurity.
Of this amount, US$16.8 million was allocated directly to the Zimbabwean government, while the remaining funds were distributed to aid organizations, including approximately US$15 million to the Start Network and WFP.
The WFP’s US$6 million from the ARC replica payout will be used to provide critical food assistance to those in need for the next two months, starting in August 2024.
The assistance will target the most vulnerable populations in the three hardest-hit districts, aiming to mitigate the effects of the food crisis exacerbated by the drought.
“In 2023, WFP purchased an ARC replica drought policy to complement the government’s sovereign insurance policy, expand climate risk insurance coverage, and enhance emergency humanitarian response effectiveness,” said a WFP spokesperson. The policy was designed to supplement the government’s efforts in managing the food deficit and to bolster the effectiveness of emergency responses.
The southern region of Zimbabwe is currently grappling with the severe effects of the El Niño weather pattern, which has led to widespread crop failures and water shortages.
As a result, the government has declared the drought a national disaster and is seeking additional support to address the crisis. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appealed for US$3 billion in international aid to prevent starvation and support recovery efforts.
In addition to providing food assistance, WFP has been actively involved in other relief efforts. The organization has already assisted 12,384 people through cash and in-kind support at the Tongogara Refugee Settlement and Waterfalls Transit Centre as part of its refugee program.
WFP has also played a role in advancing disaster risk management strategies in Zimbabwe. The organization participated in a Parliamentary Portfolio Committees Briefing Workshop on Disaster Risk Management and Financing. This forum aimed to bridge information gaps and enhance collaboration between the Zimbabwean government, ARC, WFP, and the Start Network.
The workshop focused on strengthening disaster risk financing and improving coordination among stakeholders involved in managing and mitigating the impacts of natural disasters.
