CARE International in Zimbabwe (CIZ) implemented a twelve months emergency intervention programme titled ‘Assisting vulnerable food insecure household recovery from mid-season drought and erratic rainfall’ in Gwanda and Beitbridge districts of Matabeleland South province. The programme that targeted 30 000 individuals (23% of the total population) went on to implement interventions under cropping, livestock and economic recovery activities and assisted the most vulnerable households (15% of total beneficiaries) with small livestock and small grains. These vulnerable households were targeted to recover from the impact of previous drought years, erratic rainfalls and mid-season dry spells aiming to prevent a potential decline into severe food insecurity.