This archive report was first published on 28 November 2019.
On November 28, 2019, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Hilal Elver, sounded the alarm on Zimbabwe's dire food situation, ranking it among the four top countries facing severe food shortages outside conflict zones.
Following an 11-day tour of the country, Elver described the situation as 'man-made starvation,' with 8 million people expected to be affected by the end of the year.
She highlighted the devastating impact of poor harvests, compounded by 490 percent hyperinflation, which has left 5.5 million people in rural areas facing food insecurity due to drought.
Additionally, 2.2 million people in urban areas lack access to basic public services, including healthcare and safe water.
Elver warned that the food security situation is expected to worsen, with 'shocking' numbers of people requiring urgent action to reduce food consumption gaps and save livelihoods.
She attributed the crisis to a combination of factors, including entrenched economic problems, pervasive corruption, poverty, and a crumbling health system.
Elver called on the government and international community to take immediate action to address the crisis, warning that food insecurity heightens the risks of civil unrest and insecurity.
