Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a land‑locked country in Southern Africa facing persistent food and nutrition insecurity driven by economic pressures, climate shocks and structural inequalities. Although the 2024/2025 agricultural season benefited from improved rainfall and better harvest prospects in several areas, many households entered 2026 with limited capacity to fully recover from previous shocks. As a result, food insecurity remains a concern for vulnerable rural and urban populations.

Macroeconomic instability continues to erode household purchasing power, particularly in urban areas where high food prices, rising transport and rental costs, and limited employment opportunities restrict access to adequate and nutritious food. Nearly half of the population lives in extreme poverty, with female‑headed households, people with disabilities, unemployed individuals, and those reliant on informal livelihoods disproportionately affected. According to the 2025 Global Hunger Index, Zimbabwe’s situation was classified as serious, underscoring persistent challenges related to hunger and malnutrition.

Agriculture remains central to Zimbabwe’s economy and livelihoods, employing a large share of the population and contributing significantly to national food supply. However, smallholder farmers, most of whom are women, continue to face high production costs, limited access to inputs and markets, livestock disease and ongoing climate risks. At the same time, Zimbabwe’s predominantly youthful population faces high unemployment and limited economic opportunities, increasing vulnerabilities and undermining long-term resilience. The country also hosts refugees and asylum seekers, primarily at Tongogara Refugee Settlement, who remain reliant on humanitarian assistance.

The World Food Programme (WFP) supports vulnerable populations in Zimbabwe through lifesaving food and cash assistance, strengthened food systems, and resilience-building initiatives. WFP works closely with the Government of Zimbabwe to reinforce shock‑responsive social protection, disaster risk management, and early warning systems while promoting better diets and improved nutrition outcomes. Gender equality and youth engagement are crosscutting priorities, with targeted efforts to expand economic opportunities along food value chains and address the underlying drivers of food insecurity.

Aligned with national development priorities WFP collaborates with government institutions, UN agencies, civil society, academia, the private sector and communities. Through integrated humanitarian and development action, WFP aims to protect lives, strengthen resilience and support Zimbabwe’s progress towards sustainable food and nutrition security.