Zimbabwe

24 June 2025

The number of malaria cases in Zimbabwe surged to 111,998 from weeks 1–23 of 2025, compared to 29,085 cases in the same period in 2024. Deaths also increased from 51 to 317, placing 67.5% of the population at risk of infection. The increase is attributed to heightened rainfall, outdoor activities, and delayed treatment. It disproportionately affected rural communities in Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, and Mashonaland West provinces. (allAfrica 24/06/2025, New Zimbabwe 24/06/2025, ZimNow 05/06/2025)

01 October 2024

In 2024, Zimbabwe is facing one of its worst droughts in 50 years as a result of El Niño. 7.6 million people are projected to face food insecurity when the current lean season peaks in February 2025. This figure is double the amount during the same period in 2024. At least three million children (60%) out of 4.9 million rely on school feeding programmes, which have encountered logistical problems and a lack of resources. The drought is also preventing 22.3% of school-age children from attending school, and malnutrition rates have risen to 4.1% in 2023 and 4.9% in 2024. Urgent action is necessary to address protection risks; provide food, WASH, education, and nutritional needs; and ensure the health of affected children. (WFP 16/09/2024, UNICEF 11/09/2024, NewsDay 01/10/2024)

24 September 2024

In 2024, southern Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years as a result of El Niño. Approximately 61 million people need assistance, with over 20 million experiencing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) food insecurity levels. Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have declared a state of emergency in response to the severe drought. There has also been a significant increase in malnutrition cases in Angola, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, with expectations for the trend to continue into the first quarter of 2025. (OCHA 20/09/2024, OCHA 19/09/2024)

30 January 2024

From December 2023 to January 2024, Zimbabwe’s inflation rose from an annual rate of 26.5% to 34.8%, while consumer prices rose by 6.6% from 4.7%. Since September 2023, consumer prices have been rising steadily, and the Zimbabwean dollar has lost about 40% of its value as at January 2024. (RZB accessed 01/02/2024, Bloomberg 29/01/2024, BT 01/02/2024)

24 October 2023

The annual consumer inflation rate in Zimbabwe fell to 18.4% in September 2023 from 77.2% in August given a change in the methodology used by the statistics agency to reflect the increased use of the US dollar in the economy, which as at August 2023 accounted for 80% of all transactions. In September, consumer prices rose by 1% compared to the previous month, and food inflation increased from 17.9% to 23.1%. (WFP 30/09/2023, TE accessed 22/10/2023)

20 September 2023

In Zimbabwe, concerns about food insecurity stemming from environmental conditions are leading more people to adopt crop diversification, water harvesting, the use of drought-tolerant crops, and consumption-based coping as the lean season approaches. The El Niño phenomenon is expected to reduce rainfall throughout the country, particularly in western areas, from October–December 2023. (WFP 31/08/2023, C3S accessed 27/09/2023)

17 July 2023

The initial effects of El Niño are leading to drier-than-normal conditions in Zimbabwe, most likely affecting food security in the coming months. The November 2023 to March 2024 period is expected to be drier than average and will coincide with the agricultural season, which might significantly affect crop planting, growth, and harvest. In 2023, an estimated three million people will be in need of humanitarian assistance, including two million children, as a result of the combined impact of climate change and the protracted economic crisis in the country. Since February 2023, a cholera outbreak has also been affecting most regions. Main needs include nutrition, health, protection, education, and WASH services. (FAO 17/07/2023, UNICEF 05/06/2023)