In response to growing food insecurity in Zimbabwe, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Wednesday gave an additional $20 million to Zimbabwe.
The funding which has been channelled through the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) brings the total U.S. funding for drought relief since June 2015 to $55 million.
In a statement, USAID -Zimbabwe Mission Director Stephanie Funk, said they will continue assisting Zimbabwe until the end of the drought season.
“The United States is committed to supporting the people of Zimbabwe during these difficult times,” he said.
“We are committed to working with WFP to meet the immediate food needs of vulnerable Zimbabweans, reduce suffering, and ensure families cope with the negative effects of the drought”.
The extended donation is going to support WFP’s Lean Season Assistance program, which provides monthly targeted food rations or cash transfers for food insecure people in the hardest hit districts of Zimbabwe.
WFP’s Lean Season Assistance usually operates from October through March, during the time between harvests when food can be scarce.
The WFP Country Director, Eddie Rowe said, “The generous additional $20 million contribution from USAID will allow WFP to continue food assistance for 450,000 people in 12 districts over the next six months”.
“The UN is grateful to the United States for answering our call for additional funding to scale up life-saving activities to reach the growing number of food insecure individuals,” said UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Bishow Parajuli.  “These funds will help increase our relief efforts to reach those most affected by the drought and other vulnerable groups.”