Rural communities in Zimbabwe and Zambia face significant challenges. Homes are often built from wattle, mud, and tin, lacking basic amenities like indoor plumbing and electricity. Clean water access requires families to walk up to 5 kilometers to reach boreholes, and subsistence farming provides their main food supply, with staple crops such as millet, peanuts, cassava, beans, and bananas. However, severe droughts over the past year have led to critical food shortages, putting children at higher risk of malnutrition and disease.

With many men and young adults migrating to urban areas for better job opportunities, women and the elderly primarily manage the households. Despite women farmers’ efforts, drought has drastically impacted crop yields. Introducing drought-resistant crops and income-generating activities is essential for building resilience and supporting these communities year-round.