Child Wasting on the Rise

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwe is grappling with a worsening health crisis as drought, malnutrition, and disease outbreaks continue to strain the country’s healthcare system.

According to UNICEF Zimbabwe’s latest humanitarian situation report, 7.6 million people—50% of the population—have been affected by one of the worst droughts in 40 years, exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition among children.

Child wasting, a severe form of malnutrition, has increased from 4.1% in 2023 to 4.9% in 2024, highlighting the growing threat to child health.

“The impacts of the El Niño drought continued to worsen up to early 2025, leading to increased moderate and life-threatening severe malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and health issues among children,” UNICEF stated.

The country has also battled multiple disease outbreaks. A protracted cholera outbreak that started in 2023 resulted in 34,550 cases and 719 deaths before it subsided in June 2024. However, a resurgence in November saw another 228 cases and two deaths by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe reported two confirmed cases of Mpox in October, though no further cases were recorded.

In response, UNICEF has supported the government with vaccine logistics, emergency health supplies, and capacity building for health workers.

More than 2.7 million people have accessed essential primary healthcare services in UNICEF-supported facilities, surpassing the initial target of 1.7 million.

Despite these efforts, funding gaps remain a major challenge. UNICEF’s 2024 humanitarian appeal for US$26.8 million has only been 39% funded, limiting the organisation’s ability to meet urgent health and nutrition needs.