Zimbabwe crisis
In 2008 and early 2009, Zimbabwe faced a complex humanitarian crisis. There was an increased need for aid across the nation following the temporary suspension of aid operations, a fast spreading cholera outbreak and worsening food insecurity. World Vision provided assistance to families affected by cholera and by the food shortages. Following the temporary diversion from development to emergency relief activities, World Vision has now resumed long-term development programs across the country.
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Background
In June 2008, aid agencies operating in Zimbabwe received a letter from the Zimbabwean Government ordering the immediate suspension of operations and World Vision complied with this request. World Vision was permitted to recommence feeding programs in urban areas in July and by the end of August aid agencies were permitted to resume operations in full.
In late 2008, a cholera outbreak swept through Zimbabwe, claiming more than 4,000 lives with a further 100,000 reported cases by mid-2009. Hospitals were closed following massive exodus of essential staff in protest against poor remunerations and working conditions. The rapid deterioration of the health delivery system, lack of adequate water supply, and lack of capacity to dispose of solid waste and repair sewer blockages in most areas were the main factors of the spread of the outbreak.
Further to the rapid cholera onset, rampant inflation and critical food and fuel shortages in the early months of 2009, found more than 80 per cent of the population struggling to survive on less than US $2 a day.
The United Nations estimated that about 5.5 million people were food insecure and in urgent need of food aid, calling for increased international help for the country. The United Nations estimates that 2.8 million people will face food shortages in Zimbabwe in 2009 and 2010, requiring some 228,000 tonnes of food assistance.
Zimbabwe has also been gripped by an eight-year political and economic impasse. In February 2009, the three main political parties signed a deal to form a Government of National Unity that is hoped to pave the way for peace and reconstruction in the future.
World Vision's response
World Vision has been working in Zimbabwe since 1973 with long-term development programs now operating in 26 districts. World Vision has been working with communities responding to the Cholera outbreak, and food shortages.
Cholera response
World Vision response during the Cholera outbreak included the following:
- Provision of medical supplies and non-food items such as water purification tablets, oral rehydration Solution sachets, soap, and jerry cans to affected areas.
- Drilling 16 new and repairing six boreholes
- Installation of six water storage tanks
- Distributing plastic water containers to 3,700 households
World Vision has also installed water reservoirs as part of long term measures to restore the supply of clean and safe water.
Food aid
Between January and March 2009, at the peak of the hunger period, World Vision provided food aid to a total of 1.3 million people.
The resumption of school brought relief to thousands of children who were missing out on a daily supplementary cooked meal eaten at school. World Vision also worked with other agencies to feed almost 270,000 children in 13 districts.
Women and children
World Vision set up child friendly spaces for children at schools that were closed, providing them with a safe and supervised place to play, learn, share their experiences and access food. Once schools were re-opened, World Vision provided educational materials along with incentives to teachers to support children’s education. World Vision also assisted women, children and the chronically ill to access basic health care such as immunisations and supplementary feeding programs.
Ongoing activities
Following the decision to temporarily divert programming in Zimbabwe to emergency relief activities, World Vision has now resumed longer term development activities. As the largest aid agency in Zimbabwe, World Vision’s programs currently benefit more than one million people every month. World Vision’s long-term development programs are currently operating in 26 districts.
Children sponsored by Australians
Ongoing development activities have now resumed in full. Sponsors can expect standard communications and updates from Zimbabwe.
Previous News Updates
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Monday, 1 June 2009
Zimbabwe is bracing for yet another hunger period. This is an outcome of poor harvests in some regions of the country due to erratic rainfall and a critical shortage of seeds and fertilizers. It is predicted that this year’s maize harvest will be 1.2 metric tonnes – 60,000 metric tonnes ...
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Category: Zimbabwe
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Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Extreme food shortages and a cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe are compounding a humanitarian crisis in a country that continues to face economic and political turmoil. It is estimated that more than 5.1 million people in the nation are food insecure, and more than 1 million vulnerable children are in urgent ...
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Friday, 23 January 2009
World Vision and Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC) have airlifted a shipment of more than US $4 million worth of cholera* medications to Zimbabwe, with the support of the Canadian government.
Some 38,000 people have suffered from the disease that has already claimed more than 1,900 lives since August ...
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Friday, 19 December 2008
A cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe has claimed over 1,100 lives and has been declared a national emergency by the Government of Zimbabwe. Over 16,000 cases of cholera have been reported in Zimbabwe. There are fears that if the situation worsens, up to 60,000 cases and 2,700 deaths could result.
...
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Monday, 1 September 2008
The Zimbabwe Government has lifted with immediate effect the suspension order it placed on the operations of all international humanitarian organisations in the country.
According to a statement released on 30 August by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, the suspension has been lifted for all non-government ...
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Wednesday, 6 August 2008
In early July, World Vision recommenced feeding programs in urban
areas of the country following the government's clarification that
these activities are not prohibited under the 4 June suspension order
it placed on the work of international non-government organisations.
Other relief and development activities remain temporarily suspended
and World Vision is continuing to lobby the ...
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Saturday, 14 June 2008
World Vision today warned that progress from relief and development
activities among the country’s most vulnerable children will be undone
unless a Government order suspending aid work there is revoked.
World
Vision, which has projects in 26 districts across the country, is
appealing to the Government to allow delivery of basic humanitarian
assistance by immediately ...
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Friday, 6 June 2008
World Vision has received a letter from the Zimbabwean Government
ordering NGOs to suspend operations. World Vision has suspended its
operations in Zimbabwe in accordance with the request. As one of the
largest NGOs operating in Zimbabwe, World Vision is greatly concerned
at the humanitarian implications of the request.
World Vision has
worked in Zimbabwe ...
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