Zimbabwe Emergency Drought Appeal

Zimbabwe is experiencing its worst drought in over 40 years. Donate now to help provide urgent food, water, and medical supplies.

Please bring hope and relief to families caught in crisis

Grappling with the devastating effects of climate change, and made worse by El Niño events raising temperatures and reducing rainfall, southern Africa is in a state of emergency. Zimbabwe – which used to be known as the bread basket of Africa – is facing drought, hunger, and malnutrition.

Families are struggling to obtain food and access basic services, causing severe distress and impacting mental health, especially among children. The situation is becoming impossible for many.

There are 7.6 million people in danger, urgently requiring lifesaving humanitarian support.

Families are on the brink, and without immediate help, the consequences will be devastating.

A lady stands in a field of scorched maize crops.

Children going without food

The ongoing drought has left families like Mrs. Gumangeyi’s struggling to find food and access basic services. The impact on physical and mental health is severe, especially for children.

Mrs Gumangeyi told us, “We do not have any food in the house. The children are the most affected, especially the school-aged. They are going without any food for the whole day. As parents, we are worried that the children may faint at school or on their way from school.”

“It is true that one cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not eaten well,” she added, holding one of her youngest children in a maize crib that should be filled with grain, but is empty (pictured).

A lady stands holding a baby in a maize crib, a wooden structure.

Dry and withered maize (corn) plants in a field

Donate Now

Your donation today support people with disabilities in the most vulnerable situations.

The scale of the crisis

The map of Zimbabwe shows the large regions affected by the drought, which has been declared a state of disaster and is threatening food security for millions of people.

Our current work in affected areas:

Chipinge District: Severe food insecurity and lack of basic services.
Chimanimani District: Acute shortages of food and medical care.

The 2023 to 2024 rainy season failed, and a never-before-seen La Niña-induced low rainfall season is predicted in 2024. This means the drought will only worsen, and almost half the population of Zimbabwe is already at risk.

What CBM’s project will do

Our three-year project will provide immediate relief, and help communities withstand future climatic shocks. The most vulnerable in this drought – including families of people with disabilities – will be given fast access to food, medical supplies and water. And supporters’ gifts will also help families learn more sustainable farming techniques, helping them grow a lifeline of food and build themselves a climate-resilient livelihood into the future.

How you can help

CBM teams are on the ground, ready to deliver immediate aid to households in urgent need, including many with disabled members who are often the last to receive help. Your donation can create immediate access to food and medical services, and help families use more sustainable farming techniques for years to come.

Each moment counts. Will you make an urgent gift today?

Donate now