By Conrad Mwanawashe
THE drumbeat was irresistible.
With the flawless dance routines from a Congolese group, the flexibility of the gymnasts’ members of an ensemble from Burundi and a muchongoyo dance performance from the Mozambicans, the World Food Day commemorations roared to life.
The setting was Tongogara Refugee Settlement in Chipinge, South-east of Zimbabwe where the dance groups are all based.
The settlement is home to over 16,000 refugees from 39 countries requiring at least 2,100 metric tons of grain every year.
Government has supported them with 150 hectares of irrigation so that they are able to produce some of their food requirements.
The World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), among others, are also capacitating the refugees to produce poultry, broilers, layers, and also fisheries. They have a total of nine fish ponds that they have.
Tongogara refugee settlement was therefore, a perfect venue for the commemorations.
World Food Day is celebrated on October 16 every year to promote healthy diets and end hunger and Zimbabwe held a belated ceremony on November 1, 2024.
The theme for 2024 is: “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future – Leave No One Behind”
‘Foods’ stands for diversity, nutrition, affordability, accessibility and safety. A greater diversity of nutritious foods should be available in our fields, fishing nets, markets, and on our tables, for the benefit of all.
The commemorations were held at a time when Zimbabwe is battling the El Nino-induced drought which has led to prolonged droughts, reduced harvests and pushed more families into food insecurity.
While addressing the event, WFP Deputy Country Director, Billy Mwiinga, the Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) program has been pivotal in empowering communities to restore and protect their natural resources.
“As we enter the rainy season, we also begin one of the most challenging periods—the lean season, when food stocks from the last harvest are depleted, and families struggle to put food on their tables. To help families through this period, WFP is delivering lean season assistance, combining food distributions in rural areas and cash in urban to ensure that households can meet their needs. This assistance is not just about survival; it’s about ensuring families can focus on building their futures rather than worrying about their next meal.
“In places like Tongogara Refugee Settlement, we are acutely aware of the needs of displaced people. Displacement often brings unique challenges, and WFP is committed to ensuring access to nutritious food and essential resources for these communities,” said Mwiinga.
Some of the refugees housed at the settlement appreciated government, WFP, and other stakeholders efforts with some keen to join the agriculture revolution.
Rebecca Mbambi, said government provides food support while WFP are giving cash payments for sustenance.
Mbambi, who was involved in horticulture in the Democratic Republic of Congo before she relocated to Zimbabwe in 2013 wants land to continue with her passion.
“I’ve six children and if I get land, I’ll be able to look after my family. Currently selling vegetables which include muboora, nyevhe, onions, cassava and tomatoes but my passion is to farm,” said Mbambi.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri said government has taken cognisance of the significant progress that has been made in developing irrigation infrastructure within the Tongagara Refugee settlement.
“I’m pleased to inform you that, in line with government’s inclusive agenda, there are prospects for extending the Presidential Inputs Scheme to the Tongogara Refugee Settlement. The inputs scheme, which provides essential agricultural inputs to farmers, could significantly benefit this community, ensuring food security at the local level,” he added.
This is sweet music to Mbambi’s ears who hopes to be one of the top farmers from the settlement one day.
FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa, Dr Patrice Talla said within the UN system FAO working with partners like WFP, IFAD and other UN agencies will continue to support such efforts to ensure that the UN’s activities are aligned to Zimbabwe’s national priorities in areas of food and nutrition security.
“Let’s renew our commitment to building efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems that guarantee the right to good foods for all, for today and for tomorrow,” said Dr Talla.
Globally, the climate crisis compounds the vulnerability of the forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Zimbabwe is one of the partners providing protection and finding durable solutions for refugees and asylum-seekers. UNHCR’s areas of work include protection, education, health, food security and nutrition, shelter and core relief items, water and sanitation, among others.
UNHCR Zimbabwe representative, Ahmed Baba Fall, said socio economic inclusion of refugees, and the transition from humanitarian assistance to self-reliance has been a high priority for refugees, government and UNHCR.
Some of the initiatives that UNHCR is implementing at Tongagara Refugee Settlement to ensure attainment of resilience and sustainable agriculture, include:
- At Tongogara refugee settlement, construction of an additional 100 hectares irrigation scheme for refugees is now complete, to add to the existing 50 hectares.
- A total of 527 refugees and 58 Zimbabweans are benefiting from the irrigation scheme. Plans are underway to put an additional 25 hectares under drip irrigation and attain a 175ha target of area under irrigation.
IFAD Country Director for Zimbabwe, Francesco Rispoli, said World Food Day called for more focus on the rise in forced displacement, driven largely by conflict and violence.
“As populations are uprooted, we witness the degradation of agricultural land and a decline in food production in their home regions. Simultaneously, host communities experience increased pressure on natural resources and food security. This highlights the urgent need for investment in agriculture and rural development as sustainable solutions to forced displacement, poverty, and food security,” said Rispoli.
