Responding to Humanitarian Needs and Strengthening Resilience to Food Insecurity

This operation expired in June 2016. 

Since 2009, between 1.05 million and 1.67 million people – 12 percent to 19 percent of the rural population – have required food assistance during lean seasons. Zimbabwe hasa “serious” global hunger index of 17.3, and 72 percent of the population live below the national poverty line. A third of Zimbabwe’s children are chronically malnourished, with no significant improvement since 1999. The prevalence of HIV and AIDS is among the highest in the world at 13.7 percent of the population.

The political, social and economic situation is fragile, but there are signs of increasing stability. The introduction of a multi-currency system and the liberalization of markets in 2009 has improved the economy, but the average household finds it difficult to obtain adequate income and food.

Protracted relief and recovery operation 200453 will serve 1.23 million people over two years. The activities reflect a transition to recovery, but maintain a capacity for rapid response if necessary.

The objectives are to: protect and promote livelihoods and enhance the self-reliance of targeted, vulnerable households in emergencies and during early recovery (Strategic Objective 1); enhance communities’ resilience to shocks through safety-net or asset-creation activities (Strategic Objective 2); support the re-establishment of livelihoods, food security and nutritional well-being of communities and families affected by shocks (Strategic Objective 3); and support malnourished adults and children by helping them to regain their productive capacity (Strategic Objective 3).

The operation is in line with the Government’s Mid-Term Plan, the national Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy, the Food and Nutrition Security Policy, the Productive Community Works Policy Framework, the Social Transfer Policy Framework, the United Nations Development Assistance Framework and Strategic Objectives 1, 2 and 3; it also contributes to Millennium Development Goals 1, 4, 5 and 6.

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Budget revision 8 to Zimbabwe PRRO 200453 increases planned beneficiaries for both the Disaster Risk Reduction and Response (DRRR) and Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) components, to cater to additional needs emanating from the impact of the 2015/2016 El Niño event. This budget revision supports these additional needs until the end of this PRRO 200453 (30 June 2016). Thereafter, a new PRRO and two Development Projects will be implemented in Zimbabwe. This new portfolio is in line with recommendations from the strategic review and country strategic planning process. It will allow for a seamless continuation of activities from this PRRO 200453, covering the El Niño response and working towards longer-term investments in resilience building, social protection and support to smallholder farmers.