Through the Department of International Development (DFID) Zimbabwe, UK will grant £21.5 million to Zimbabwe to help the country fight the drought that has been affecting it for some months now.

According to a statement issued by DFID Zimbabwe, the fund will be used to “strengthen the capacity of vulnerable rural communities to withstand shocks and stresses, ultimately reducing their need for humanitarian help and improving their wellbeing”.

 It is however important to note that in 2016 the El Niño -induced drought had been particularly harsh in Southern Africa, destroying harvest, forcing nearly 4 million of Zimbabweans to depend on food aid.

 “Even if there is above-average rainfall over coming months, much of the damage to crops is irreversible,” said Brian Bogart (photo), WFP regional program adviser.

In addition to this, with the dry spell which started in October, people fear the destruction of crops, livestock and the population is inevitable.