Zimbabwe ramps up El Niño readiness

Zimbabwe intensified preparations for the 2026–2027 El Niño season, prioritising food security and child welfare through measures such as early warning systems, water conservation, and distribution of drought-resistant seeds, as reported by iHarare. The government's proactive stance follows previous drought failures that exposed weak agricultural resilience, with the 2024 El Niño having devastated crops and left millions food insecure. However, critics warn that without structural reforms in irrigation and land use, these measures remain reactive band-aids against climate shocks. The focus on child welfare includes school feeding programmes and health interventions, but experts argue that long-term investment in climate-smart agriculture is essential to break the cycle of crisis response. The success of these preparations will be tested in the coming rainfall season.