Zimbabwe donates 10 tonnes of food to drought-hit Botswana district

Zimbabwe has donated 10 tonnes of food supplies to Mophato volunteers in Botswana’s drought-prone Bobirwa district as concerns grow over the impact of El Niño-related weather conditions.

The donation was made through ZimAid, Zimbabwe’s foreign assistance programme, in an effort to support communities facing difficult conditions in the neighbouring country.

According to a report by NewsDay Zimbabwe, the food supplies were handed over to Mophato volunteers in Bobirwa, a district in eastern Botswana that has experienced recurring drought conditions.

The donation comes amid concerns about the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon, which was expected to bring below-normal rainfall and worsen water and food shortages in parts of Southern Africa.

Zimbabwe steps in through ZimAid

The assistance was provided under ZimAid, which operates through Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

The programme works with the Civil Protection Unit and private-sector partners to provide assistance during humanitarian emergencies and other situations requiring support.

The latest donation also highlights the cross-border nature of humanitarian challenges in Southern Africa, where droughts, floods and other extreme weather events can affect neighbouring countries at the same time.

Zimbabwe and Botswana share a border and have longstanding social and economic links, particularly in communities located close to the border.

ZimAid expands its relief efforts

ZimAid has also been used to provide assistance within Zimbabwe in response to emergencies.

NewsDay reported that the programme had recently been involved in the distribution of standby grain stocks to provinces affected by severe rainfall-induced flooding earlier in the year.

The use of the programme for both domestic and regional assistance reflects Zimbabwe’s efforts to provide relief during emergencies beyond its borders.

For Botswana, the food donation comes at a time when drought has placed additional pressure on vulnerable communities and agricultural livelihoods.

Bobirwa is largely rural, with many households depending on farming and livestock for their livelihoods. Poor rainfall can therefore have wider consequences for food security and household incomes.

Zimbabwe has helped Botswana before

The latest food donation is not the first time Zimbabwe has stepped in to assist its neighbour.

In 2025, Zimbabwe came to Botswana’s aid by providing a consignment of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) after temporary procurement delays raised concerns about supplies for HIV treatment facilities.

According to the Botswana Embassy in Harare, the consignment that left Zimbabwe in October 2025 was structured as both a donation and a loan.

Twenty percent of the ARVs were donated, while the remaining 80% was provided as a loan to be reimbursed by Botswana through replacement stock.