MARTIN MAWAYA
HARARE-The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has heightened calls for emergency funds response aimed at assisting women and children impacted by El Niño-induced crisis in Zimbabwe.
The global organization has launched an appeal for $84.9 million, specifically targeted to provide life-saving interventions for 1.34 million people, including 866,000 children.
This appeal by UNICEF is part of the recently launched UN-interagency initiative aimed at supporting the Government’s response to the emergency caused by the El Niño phenomenon.
In a press statement released this afternoon, UNICEF emphasized that Zimbabwe is currently facing a severe El Niño emergency, which is disproportionately affecting children under the age of five, pregnant and lactating women, and adolescents.
Adding that the challenges posed by the El Niño crisis have compounded an already complex humanitarian situation characterized by water and food shortages.
In addition, UNICEF said Zimbabwe is grappling with public health emergencies such as cholera and polio, further exacerbating the multi-dimensional humanitarian crisis.
According to UNICEF, the El Niño-induced drought has led to various health issues among children, including disease outbreaks, respiratory illnesses, and increased levels of malnutrition.
“Water scarcity is expected to contribute to the spread of diarrhea and other water-scarce diseases among children exacerbated by reduced immunity in children because of malnutrition,” reads part of the statement.
UNICEF also highlighted that the drought caused by El Niño is pushing households into poverty and vulnerability, increasing the risk of school dropouts, violence, and exploitation of children.
Dr. Nicholas Alipui, the UNICEF representative in Zimbabwe, expressed deep concern about the vulnerability of children in the current emergency.
“We are particularly concerned about the vulnerability of children in this current emergency. Decreased access to clean water and a poor diet heightens the risk of malnutrition and diarrhea diseases among children and impacts on their rights to education and protection with the full impact of these intersecting factors expected to manifest only later,” said Dr Alipui.
Dr Alipui stressed the urgent need for a proactive strategy to avert excess deaths in the coming months.
He emphasized that UNICEF’s appeal focuses on fostering collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe and its partners to ensure continued access to integrated health, water, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, education, and child protection services for children and their caregivers.
Dr. Alipui urged the donor community to support UNICEF’s appeal, emphasizing the critical importance of securing children’s rights to health, education, and protection during this crisis.
He said the funding will help reduce child morbidity and mortality, prevent malnutrition, improve water access, ensure continuous learning for children, and protect them against abuse and exploitation.
“It will also help strengthen the resilience of household to deal with the crisis,” stressed Dr Alipui.
Currently, the drought’s adverse effects have had a negative impact on children’s nutrition, as household food production and stocks continue to deplete.
The government has been implementing measures, including the establishment of irrigated nutrition gardens and water harvesting strategies, to mitigate the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon.
