Food hampers for Rangers patrolling in the Lower Zambezi Valley: Charara, Hurungwe, Mana, Sapi, Chewore, Dande and Doma.

Funds raised through the fantastic Wildlife Ranger challenge 2021 (www.wildliferangerchallenge.org) on the 18th September 2021, made it possible to provide field-based Rangers with food hampers throughout the rainy season of 2021-2022. Rangers patrolling in the wildlife protected areas of Mid-Zambezi Region, also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mana-Sapi-Chewore, received their food hampers which they used for patrol rations as well as for any on-station families.

Last year more than 25+ tons of pre-packed food hampers comprising a box of dry foodstuffs +10kg mealie meal (total of 33kg each) were delivered to 100+ Rangers in the Lower Zambezi Valley for 12 months during 2020-2021.
Our intervention of January 2022 brought about a significant level of relief to Rangers and their families who, during that rainy season experienced considerable challenges in travelling to reach food sources at least 4-6 hours on largely inaccessible roads. Furthermore, during this last rainy season 4 major road access bridges were washed away. The linkages between Rangers’ well-being, patrol efficacy and wildlife protection are highlighted. We ask and trust that caring donors will proactively respond to this call for ongoing funding.