In Zimbabwe’s arid Binga district, the ongoing drought has left devastating marks on every aspect of life. With rivers running dry and livestock perishing, it’s a daily struggle for many families, whose survival is now in the hands of their resilience.
The Zimbabwe Red Cross, with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), is stepping in to offer both immediate relief and long-term solutions to these communities.
One of the organisation’s major initiatives is a school-feeding programme that targets more than 12,000 students in 11 primary schools in the most affected areas. The programme, which offers a daily serving of nutritious porridge made from corn and soybeans, is helping break the cycle of hunger and poor school attendance that has plagued Binga’s children for years.
“For many of these children, this is their only meal of the day,” says a teacher at Siasundu Primary School, one of the schools benefiting from the programme.
“We’ve seen remarkable improvements – attendance has increased, dropouts have decreased, and the children are far more attentive in class. It’s truly making a difference in their lives.”
The meals adhere to UNICEF and World Food Programme dietary guidelines, ensuring the children receive essential nutrients to fuel their learning and growth.
The initiative is a partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Department of Social Development, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care. In addition, the Zimbabwe Red Cross has been supported by the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), which triggered funds to support this early action intervention.
While school children benefit from regular meals, vulnerable families in Binga are also receiving much-needed food assistance. For 67-year-old Esnathi Mudhimba, who cares for her sick granddaughter, a 10-kilogram bag of maize meal per person in her household is a vital lifeline.
“This food is keeping us alive,” she shares. “Before this, I sold baobab fruits to survive, but now I’m too old, and my granddaughter can’t help me. Without this support, I don’t know what we would have done.”
The IFRC-DREF funding has supported food distribution in Wards 9 and 10, reaching over 3,400 people in need. Families like Esnathi’s now have hope, with food aid allowing them to focus on rebuilding their lives.
Monica Mpande, a 52-year-old mother from Mupambe village, shares how the support is more than just sustenance – it’s a chance to build a future. “With this food assistance, I can save a little money to buy books for my children,” she says. “It gives me hope that we’ll get through this.”
The Zimbabwe Red Cross is not just addressing immediate needs but also fostering resilience for future crises. The organisation has rehabilitated boreholes and set up solar-powered water points, providing communities with access to clean water.
Additionally, livestock dipping and deworming programmes are helping farmers protect their herds from disease and loss. These efforts are crucial for communities like Esnathi’s and Monica’s, who depend on these resources to safeguard their livelihoods and ensure a more secure future.
As Binga continues to battle the impacts of severe drought, the Zimbabwe Red Cross’s initiatives are providing hope and dignity to thousands of people. In a time of overwhelming hardship, the support they receive is more than just food – it’s a promise of a brighter, more resilient tomorrow.
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