Zimbabwe is facing a macroeconomic crisis, exacerbated by the worst drought in 40 years caused by El Niño. Agricultural production has fallen to 60 per cent of average, leaving 52 per cent of the population food insecure. The country was also hit by a widespread cholera epidemic in 2024, with more than 35,000 cases and 600 deaths.

In 2024, Action Against Hunger distributed food vouchers to 39,235 people to alleviate hunger caused by the drought. In Mwenezi, cash transfers enabled 567 families to access nutritious food. 4,625 households also received agricultural tools to improve food security. 1,750 farmers received agricultural training and 9,369 livestock were protected thanks to veterinary services. To mitigate the drought and combat the cholera epidemic, we improved access to drinking water for 65,212 people by rehabilitating boreholes, providing emergency water trucking and improving sanitation. With our partner International Medical Corps (IMC), the cholera response has treated more than 1,500 cases, strengthened infection prevention and control in 42 health facilities, and trained 300 community health workers in cholera prevention.

In the context of emergency response, DG ECHO-funded rapid interventions during the El Niño crisis, implemented by Action Against Hunger and its partners IMC and Nutrition Action Zimbabwe, provided food, healthcare and protection to more than 30,000 people. Cash for work programmes improved financial resilience, benefiting 2,454 people.