Crisis as WFP Closes in Zim

Rutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now Reporter

Zimbabwe is set to be among the hardest-hit countries following the closure of the United Nations World Food Programme's Southern Africa bureau due to critical funding shortages.

The decision comes as the region faces a devastating drought that has left 52.8 million people acutely food insecure, with Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Angola among the worst affected.

The closure follows significant cuts in foreign aid, particularly from the United States, a key donor to WFP.

The funding shortfall has severely impacted the agency’s ability to sustain life-saving operations, which have been crucial in reaching Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable communities.

“This is an incredibly difficult decision, but without sufficient funding, we simply cannot continue operations at the level required,” WFP said.

“The drought, conflict, and economic hardships have created an unprecedented crisis, and yet we are being forced to scale down at a time when people need us the most.”

WFP has been instrumental in providing food assistance to millions in Zimbabwe, where drought and economic challenges have worsened food shortages.

With its regional office closing, the situation is expected to deteriorate further, with hunger levels rising.

“The timing could not be worse,” a humanitarian analyst in Johannesburg said. “WFP plays a crucial role in getting food to the most vulnerable populations. Without it, the situation will deteriorate rapidly.”

The U.S. government’s recent foreign aid reductions, part of a broader shift in global policy, have left multiple humanitarian programs underfunded. While WFP has sought alternative funding, the financial shortfall remains vast.

As the agency winds down its regional operations, humanitarian groups warn of worsening conditions, especially in Zimbabwe’s rural areas.

“We are appealing for urgent international support,” WFP said. “If we don’t act now, millions will be left without food, and we will see famine unfold before our eyes.”