Thirst for Survival, US$34M Needed In Zimbabwe’s Deepening Water Crisis

By Sharleen Mohammed

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s severe water shortage has reached catastrophic proportions, forcing rural girls to abandon their education and urban areas to combat daily cholera outbreaks not excluding hunger, malnutrition and livestock deaths

The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has challenged Journalists to shed light on critical issues, highlighting the need for urgent action to safeguard the well-being and potential of children in Zimbabwe.

This comes following the country’s deepening water crisis, exacerbated by the severe El Nino-induced drought.

Addressing Journalists at a press conference in Harare, UNICEF county Representative, Etona Ekole said Journalists play a critical role in championing children’s rights.

“We count on your support to amplify the message, promoting action to address Zimbabwe’s drought emergency.” Said Ekole.

According to Ekole, “access to safe water is a human right and must be prioritized.”

The organization emphasizes that without safe water, children cannot fully benefit from their rights to health, nutrition, education, and protection.

Zimbabwe’s water scarcity has left millions struggling to access safe water, putting vulnerable communities at risk of water-borne diseases, malnutrition, and child mortality.

“The situation is dire, and we need collective action to ensure children’s well-being,” Ekole stressed.

Approximately 64 percent of Zimbabweans rely on basic drinking water services, while 33 percent use basic sanitation services, disproportionately affecting girls and women.

Ekole noted that “girls and women bear the brunt of inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene services, affecting their dignity, education, and economic opportunities.”

UNICEF is calling for prioritized sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, increased funding for climate-resilient WASH services, and strengthened governance and community engagement.

“We urge the government, donors, and partners to prioritize WASH interventions, ensuring sustainable access to safe water for children and families,” Ekole emphasized.

Journalists are challenged to shed light on this critical issue, highlighting the need for urgent action to safeguard the well-being and potential of children in Zimbabwe.