UK increases humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe in response to El Nino induced drought

Through the Department for International Development (DFID), the UK has made an additional £40 million contribution resulting in a total contribution of £55.6 million (US$73.3 million) to the drought intervention

Source: APO – Africa Newsroom / Press release | UK increases humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe in response to El Nino induced drought November 7, 2016

HARARE, Zimbabwe —4.1 million people in Zimbabwe are expected to be unable to meet their food needs during the peak impact of the El Nino induced drought from January to March 2017.

The UK was one of the first international donors to respond in Zimbabwe. Since October 2015, through our partners CARE International and World Vision, the UK has provided humanitarian assistance to support over 360,000 people through the electronic mobile cash payments, in 15 districts worst affected by the drought. The scale up of our assistance means that the UK will continue to help vulnerable households meet seasonal needs ahead of the planting season and over the peak of the hunger gap, until the next harvest.

Annabel Gerry, Head of DFID Zimbabwe states:

“I am proud that the UK has been able to deliver this support through innovative electronic mobile payments. The use of this technology means that our support now extended to the end of March 2017, directly reaches those most in need. Evidence from the programme has shown that this allows women greater control over >household budgets, as well as stimulating existing local markets.”

UK humanitarian support from September 2015 to March 2017 now totals £55.6 million ($73.3 million). This includes:

  • An additional £32 million for electronic cash payments to the poorest, making a total of £42 millions (US$54.6 million);
  • An additional £8 million (US$10 million) for prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition through which 160 000 children will be screened for malnutrition, and 12 000 will receive treatment, and
  • £5,5 million (US$7.3 million) for child protection.

Distributed by APO on behalf of British Embassy Harare.

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 4
  • comment-avatar
    reader 10 years ago

    Damn these British, bailing us out again, do they not know MUGABE does not want to see your dirty white money.

    White bailing us out where are the black countries helping HUH, AU SADC etc NOTHING to busy stealing from the poor.
    Britain, France and Europe thank you.

    no sign of SANCTIONS.

  • comment-avatar
    Joe Cool 10 years ago

    The one their piety is assisting most is Mugabe by taking over his responsibilities. Revolutions are fuelled by hungry people.

    • comment-avatar
      reader 10 years ago

      YES, so maybe MUGABE is right when he says he does not want European money for Zimbabwe and perhaps that’s what we need to start a revolution.

      I mean did we ask for HELP, oh yes we did, sorry. AND our OPPRESSORS are assisting. oh no i’m now really confused, who are the oppressors and who are the saviors.

  • comment-avatar
    Barry 10 years ago

    The “El Nino draught” has nothing to do with it. If there was still an agricultural sector it would cope; we would just have to export less. Export? A historical term. Look it up.