Zimbabwe |
Disaster Assistance at a Glance
Recent Disaster Declarations:
Complex Emergency
OFDA Response:
Agriculture and Food Security, Economy and Market Systems, Emergency Relief Supplies, Protection, Humanitarian Coordination and Information Management, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Latest OFDA Report:
Zimbabwe Complex Emergency and Drought Situation Report #3 (55kb PDF)
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Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Complex Emergency, 10-06-2008
Conditions for most Zimbabweans continue to deteriorate due to the country’s collapsing economy, declining access to basic social services and staple food items, the effects of HIV/AIDS, and recent political violence. Detrimental Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ) policies, corruption, and declining agricultural production have exacerbated the humanitarian situation. Following eight consecutive years of economic decline characterized by hyperinflation and high unemployment rates, Zimbabwe is increasingly unable to maintain the infrastructure necessary for agricultural production, water and sanitation services, and steady power generation and fuel supplies. Commercial land redistribution policies have resulted in a dramatic decline in domestic food production. Food security for Zimbabweans remains particularly precarious as a result of poor governance, high global food prices, poor livestock condition following the 2007 drought, low crop production, extremely dry weather, agricultural input shortages, and recent violence targeting farm workers.
Following the March 29 presidential and legislative elections in Zimbabwe, heightened political tension led to general insecurity and significant violence by forces loyal to the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front against perceived supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. The instability created new displacement and humanitarian needs, further eroding livelihoods, resulting in loss of housing, and increasing Zimbabweans’ vulnerability and poverty. On June 4, the GOZ announced a suspension of relief activities in Zimbabwe, severely limiting response to the significant humanitarian needs until the GOZ lifted the suspension on August 29.
On October 6, 2008, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Katherine S. Dhanani reissued a disaster declaration in Zimbabwe due to the complex emergency. In FY 2008, USAID/DCHA provided more than $183.6 million for agriculture and food security, emergency relief supplies, protection, humanitarian coordination and information management, and water, sanitation, and hygiene programs, as well as emergency food assistance. Since FY 2002, USAID/OFDA has provided more than $34.7 million in humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe.
Additional Disaster Declarations:
Complex Emergency, 10-06-2006
Conditions for the majority of Zimbabweans continue to deteriorate due to the country's ongoing economic decline, low agricultural productivity, and the increasing impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Internal displacement and urban vulnerability spiked as a result of Operation Murambatsvina in 2005, which according to the U.N. displaced an estimated 700,000 people and indirectly impacted as many as 2.4 million others. Widespread loss of housing and livelihoods forced the majority of the affected urban population deeper into poverty. In addition to urgent needs in shelter, water and sanitation, health, and protection, humanitarian access to the affected populations remains limited. Despite good rains and an improved harvest in 2005/2006, insufficient cereal production failed to meet the food needs of more than 1 million people, who will require food assistance until the April 2007 harvest.
On October 6, 2006, U.S. Ambassador Christopher W. Dell redeclared a disaster in Zimbabwe due to the ongoing complex emergency. Since FY 2002, OFDA has provided more than $22 million in humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe. OFDA's programs are focused on supporting displaced and other vulnerable populations by strengthening livelihoods and providing assistance in the sectors of water and sanitation, food security, agriculture, protection, relief commodities, and humanitarian coordination.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses in Zimbabwe, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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