Villagers in Zimbabwe dig riverbeds for water as drought worsens

Severe drought in Zimbabwe is forcing residents to dig into dry riverbeds to find water, as nearly 70 million people across southern Africa face food and water shortages.

Shingai Nyoka reports for BBC.

In short:

• Residents in northern Zimbabwe are digging into dry riverbeds to extract water, with rivers and dams in the region depleted.
• Food scarcity is worsening; hospital admissions for malnourished children have doubled since June.
• A local feeding program for children is struggling due to dwindling food supplies and limited rainfall.

Key quote:

"As you can see, the cattle are drinking from the same pit as us. Their urine is right there... it is not very healthy. I have never seen anything like this."

— Gracious Phiri, a mother of five

Why this matters:

With millions facing hunger and water shortages, the crisis in Zimbabwe highlights the urgent need for international aid and sustainable solutions to combat the effects of climate change in southern Africa.

Be sure to read Peter Dykstra’s piece: Of water and fever.