By Cathleen Muchena
Harare – Zimbabwe has officially been delisted from the global Hunger Hotspots list, marking a significant achievement in the country’s long-standing fight against food insecurity.
The announcement comes from a joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), backed by the European Union through the Global Network Against Food Crises.
This major development reflects a decade of dedicated work by the Zimbabwean government, FAO, development partners, and local communities to address hunger at its root.
The Hunger Hotspots list identifies regions at risk of acute food insecurity due to conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability.
Zimbabwe had appeared on the list six times in the past 10 years, particularly during periods of severe drought and economic turbulence.
A Symbol of Progress
FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative to Zimbabwe, Patrice Talla, hailed the achievement as more than symbolic.
“This is a milestone. Being removed from the Hunger Hotspots list represents renewed hope, stability, and the possibility of sustainable growth,” he said.
He emphasized that the delisting offers Zimbabwe an opportunity to shift focus from emergency response to long-term development, resilience building, and investment in food systems.
What Made the Difference?
Zimbabwe’s progress was driven by a blend of strong national leadership and coordinated international support. The government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) placed food security at the heart of its agenda, introducing key initiatives such as:
The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, which promoted climate-smart agriculture and provided smallholder farmers with drought-resistant seed and fertiliser.
Support for livestock production, a key income source for rural communities.
Policy reform and institutional support, helped by FAO, to strengthen agricultural resilience and food systems.
In tandem, FAO worked on strengthening value chains, post-harvest storage, water use, and animal health, while empowering farmers with training and tools to adapt to climate change.
What’s Next?
Though Zimbabwe is no longer classified as a hunger hotspot, challenges remain. Economic instability, inflation, and infrastructure deficits continue to affect the country’s food systems. Climate change still poses a looming threat, with more droughts and unpredictable weather events.
Talla cautioned, “This is not the end of the journey. We must consolidate the gains, continue investing in agriculture and nutrition, and ensure our early warning systems remain strong.”
A Blueprint for Others
Zimbabwe’s turnaround story offers a blueprint for countries facing similar crises. It illustrates the power of long-term collaboration, strategic leadership, and adaptive farming to reverse even the most daunting food security trends.
As Patrice Talla put it, “By continuing to work together, we can build a future where everyone has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.”
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