- Africa
- Zimbabwe
Drought / dry spell
Partners act to anticipate the impacts of drought across Zimbabwe
After two anticipatory action plans for drought were activated in Zimbabwe, partners are now supporting those most at risk before the worst impacts of this hazard are felt.
Partners act to anticipate the impacts of drought across Zimbabwe
Two anticipatory action plans (AAPs) for drought have recently been activated in Zimbabwe. Partners working in different parts of the country are now implementing a range of actions to help those most at risk before the worst impacts of this hazard are felt.
In late July, Aktion gegen den Hunger in Zimbabwe and Nutrition Action Zimbabwe activated the AAP in Chiredzi, Kariba and Mwenezi. Using funding of 414,198 euros, these partners have started to:
- provide adequate supplies of clean water, for both communities and livestock
- distribute agricultural inputs and offer training in how to use these during a drought
- distribute starter packs to breed indigenous chickens (which are better able to withstand a prolonged drought), as well as livestock feed.
In August, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Zimbabwe, the Farm Community Trust of Zimbabwe and the Mvuramanzi Trust activated their AAP for Mbire, Mount Darwin and Rushinga. With funding of 500,000 euros, they will now begin to implement the pre-agreed actions outlined in the plan. As well as ensuring communities and livestock have adequate clean water, the partners will:
- distribute drought-tolerant seeds, pesticides and fertilizer to support farmers
- deliver supplementary feed for livestock, as well as services to maintain animals’ health (e.g., deworming, dosing, dipping) and training for community animal-health workers.
National and district-level civil society protection committees are also helping to implement these actions.
The plans were developed under the WHH Anticipatory Humanitarian Action Facility (WAHAFA), with financial support from Germany’s Federal Foreign Office.
Triggering the AAPs
Both AAPs were triggered after crossing the agreed thresholds in the ‘Ready, set, go’ model for two consecutive months. Developed by the Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe and the World Food Programme, this model predicts drought by turning seasonal rainfall forecasts into 2- and 3-month anomalies. It also uses historical analysis to set specific trigger probabilities for different regions.
This article is adapted from a social media post by WAHAFA.
Photo: A simulation for anticipatory action in Mbire, 2024. © Tendai Marima/WHH
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