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Zimbabwe: Children on the frontline as climate and economic crises collide

Save the Children expresses deep alarm over the rapidly escalating and increasingly brutal violence against children in Zimbabwe. Recently, social media revealed a shocking rise in cases of children being sexually violated, beaten to death, burned, abducted or kidnapped thereby going missing, often at the hands of caregivers, relatives, community figures, or trusted adults.

Thousands of children in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique are at risk of deadly disease as the 2024 cyclone season threatens to bring more floods.

In August, Junior Parliamentarians from Hurungwe, Mudzi, Chiredzi and Harare met with Senior members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Child Rights, submitting a powerful motion that called for urgent national measures to protect children from child labour and child trafficking. The Senior Parliamentarians welcomed the motion and pledged to push it in the Parliament of Zimbabwe, ensuring that children’s voices are represented in national decision-making.

In Mt Darwin, Zimbabwe, the streets came to life with more than just the usual daily buzz. A mobile roadshow, led by the Ministry of Health and Childcare with support from Save the Children, brought entertainment and education on Cholera prevention.

Zimbabwe is facing a sharp rise in malaria cases, with over 130,000 confirmed infections and 365 deaths recorded as of August 2025, as reported by the Ministry of Health and Childcare (MoHCC)— a 302% increase from the same period last year. The surge has placed pressure on the health systems, particularly in Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, and Mashonaland West, which account for most of the cases.To complement the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s ongoing efforts to fight malaria, Save the Children through its Humanitarian Fund (HF), has launched the HF Malaria Response.

Between January and July 2025, Save the Children Zimbabwe and its partners supported communities to withstand drought, protect livelihoods, and safeguard children’s rights. Farmers in Matobo were equipped with drought-tolerant seeds, animal feed, and improved water systems, helping families recover and sustain their livelihoods. In Bulilima, mothers and children received nutrition support alongside strengthened community health groups, ensuring healthy growth and maternal wellbeing. Across the country, children are gaining new opportunities to read and learn through the distribution of literacy materials, teacher support, and digital learning tools. Communities also became better prepared to prevent cholera outbreaks through mobile awareness campaigns, while child protection structures were strengthened to fight child labour and trafficking. Children themselves played an active role in shaping national conversations on planning and budgeting. These efforts demonstrate Save the Children’s commitment to resilient communities, and a future where every child survives, learns, and is protected. Read our Impact Bulletin here: Save the Children Zimbabwe Impact Bulletin (January-July 2025) - Save the Children’s Resource Centre

Every morning in Chiredzi district, located in the southeastern part of Zimbabwe, bordering Mozambique and known for its sugarcane production, 12-year-old Rudo* (not real name) wakes up excited to put on her school uniform and head to school. For her, school is not just lessons- it is a place of hope, friendship, and the promise of a brighter future.

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Mother of two, Nodumo, struggled to provide enough breastmilk for her 7-month-old baby Isabel when severe drought impacted her farming business and forced her to live on one meal a day. She received a special nutritious porridge that increased her milk supply and when Isabel was old enough she also started eating it. Nodumo also joined a mother's group where they exchange parenting tips and learn about their children's health.

About one in 8 children globally have been significantly impacted by the 10 biggest extreme weather events so far this year, having to flee their homes, becoming reliant on aid or missing out on school, Save the Children said.