(Ecofin Agency) - One out of 10 people. That is the proportion of Zimbabweans exposed to hunger this year. According to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) who disclosed the statistic, the country which is recording its worst drought since 1998 will be forced to find means to feed 1.5 million people.

Taking their destiny in their hands, some Zimbabweans such as those from the Mofomoti village go many miles to South Africa where they hope to get some food. Others, having difficulties feeding their livestock sell them cheaply. According to Luckson Mabvongwe, a resident of Mofomoti, the region could have overcome the drought if it had had dams and irrigation systems. Josphat Ngwenya, chief of the locality, says hunger will affect the level of school drop-outs. He called onto WFP to reinforce its support to help Zimbabweans fight hunger.

Generating 30% of Zimbabwe’s export earnings and representing 19% of its GDP, Agriculture is currently suffering from the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon which is causing a wave of droughts to wash over the Southern part of Africa.

Aaron Akinocho