Zimbabwe
Score moved 7 → 6 . “UN agencies want $202 million to shield 8.8 million people as Harare scraps food import duty”
UN food agencies are seeking $202 million to protect 8.8 million people across Southern Africa from the impacts of a strong El Niño, with Zimbabwe among the countries in the firing line. A September 2026 drought assessment and an August preparedness alert both point to below-normal rains for the coming season, threatening maize production and household food security. In response, Zimbabwe has moved to cancel import duty on food as a cushion, while humanitarian planners push for early action ahead of the December–February peak.
70.4 mm vs 18.3 mm normal — too little rain in this window for a % to mean anything
The July–October window is Zimbabwe's climatological dry season, so no meaningful rainfall anomaly can be computed, but the articles warn that the coming November–March rains are likely to be below normal under the strong El Niño.
News source17.69°C mean vs 18.34°C normal
Measured mean temperatures for July–October 2026 ran about 0.7°C below normal, a cool anomaly that sits oddly against the heat-stress narrative in the El Niño preparedness coverage.
Planting is expected to be delayed and the December–February peak El Niño period is likely to bring moisture stress that cuts maize yields and lengthens the lean season.
NASA POWER (MERRA-2) reanalysis, 9 Jul 2026 – 6 Oct 2026, sampled at the country centroid (-20.0°, 30.0°). Normals are 1991–2020. How this is computed
When it matters
Agricultural calendar for Zimbabwe and where the El Niño impact window falls
Last 12 months vs normal
Observed monthly rainfall against the 1991–2020 climatology
Sector by sector
Below-normal rains are expected to delay planting and cut maize yields, with the December–February peak El Niño period posing the greatest risk to the staple crop.
Reservoir and borehole recharge is likely to fall short of normal, tightening supplies for irrigation, livestock and urban users through the 2026–27 season.
Food insecurity and water scarcity are expected to worsen malnutrition and raise the risk of waterborne disease during the lean season.
Reduced inflows into Kariba and other hydropower reservoirs are likely to deepen electricity supply shortfalls and load-shedding.
Lower river flows and shrinking dams are expected to reduce inland fish catches and threaten small-scale aquaculture livelihoods.
What happened last time
Past El Niño episodes and how Zimbabwe responded. See the full ENSO timeline →
2023-24
A strong El Niño contributed to a severe regional drought that left millions in need of food assistance and pushed Zimbabwe to import grain.
unsourced background2015-16
El Niño-driven drought cut cereal production sharply across Southern Africa, prompting large-scale humanitarian appeals and food import programmes.
unsourced background1991-92
One of the strongest El Niño droughts on record for Zimbabwe, causing widespread maize failure and a severe national food crisis.
unsourced backgroundLatest coverage
RSSSevere drought in Zimbabwe affects agriculture and food security
Zimbabwe Braces for El Niño Drought as UN Seeks $202m and Harare Scraps Food Import Duty
UN food agencies are seeking $202 million to protect 8.8 million people across Southern Africa from the impacts of a strong El Niño, with Zimbabwe among the countries in the firing line. A September 2
Zimbabwe to Cancel Import Duty on Food as Cushion From El Nino
Nearby
Neighbouring countries