The El Nino-induced drought has had some devastating effects on the lives of women and children in Zimbabwe, so much so that it was declared a national disaster.
The drought has led to major crop failure increasing the rate of food insecurity in the nation. Food insecurity has greatly led to the vulnerability of women, youth, and children as they are usually the last to eat and they receive less food. The lack of food has also led to increased poverty and vulnerability amongst women, youth, and children as society has confined them to the responsibility of managing household resources. The drought has threatened malnutrition in young children.
Due to limited access to clean water and sanitation, the drought has exposed women and children to diseases like typhoid and cholera which the country has been battling for quite some time now.
As we celebrate Workers Day, Manica Youth Assembly through their volunteers has donated food hampers to vulnerable groups. Through our Partners, we have since provided food assistance to more than 10 families in Mutare. Furthermore, MAYA aims to implement various income-generating projects and empowerment programs that will help alleviate poverty among women, youth, and children in Manicaland. These will help to further combat the challenges posed by the drought and uplift their livelihoods.