IPC ALERT: Over 4.3 million people in Zimbabwe are acutely food insecure

Currently, 45% of the rural population is in Crisis or Emergency (IPC Phase 3 and 4) while 29% is Stressed (IPC Phase 2). This is a deterioration from the last analysis conducted in June 2019, when 38% of the total population was in IPC Phase 3 and higher. The increase in the number of acutely food insecure population is primarily due to the lean season expected to extend until June. Review of the severity of the drivers of food insecurity in Zimbabwe shows that more households would likely be in a more challenging food security situation in the absence of a large-scale humanitarian food assistance programme ongoing in the country. The Government and partners are reaching large numbers of food insecure households, and genuine efforts need to continue to reach the most vulnerable households and to provide them food, cash and livelihood assistance.