Oxfam GB :: Emergencies - Zimbabwe Food Crisis

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Humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe

Hyper-inflation, the impact of HIV and AIDS, and the decline in recent years of commercial farm production, have all led to a widespread lack of food and other essential items across Zimbabwe.

The situation

The official inflation rate has reached 100,00 per cent – the highest in the world
80 per cent of the population are living on less than $1 a day, without access to basic commodities such as food and water

As a result, Zimbabwe is facing a humanitarian crisis of massive proportions.

Oxfam's response

Oxfam’s humanitarian response in Zimbabwe focuses on food security and the provision of water and sanitation for the poorest Zimbabweans.

Female beneficiaries collect maize from an Oxfam food distribution in Kwekwe and Chirumanzu. Photo: Oxfam At the end of March Oxfam completed a three-month food aid programme, which we ran in conjunction with the World Food Programme in three drought-affected districts of Kwekwe, Shurugwi and Chirumanzu. With the support of OFDA (The Office of U.S Foreign Disaster Assistance) we distributed essential public heath items such as soap and jerry cans along with food packages.

The harvest from the current season has been disappointing and it is predicted that hundreds of thousands will continue to struggle for food this year. Oxfam will continue to respond to food insecurity by supporting the cultivation of low-input gardens and training and supporting farmers in cultivating drought resistant crops and conservation farming techniques which will help them to maximise their yields.

Oxfam staff responding to a water crisis in Bulawayo. Photo: Oxfam Zimbabwe’s urban water and sanitation situation has deteriorated significantly in recent years. Oxfam will continue to respond to the water crisis by rehabilitating boreholes and wells and also tankering water to where it is needed. We will work on improving sanitation for the poorest Zimbabweans by building latrines and carrying out public health promotion to prevent outbreaks of diseases such as cholera.

In addition to our humanitarian work, Oxfam continues to work with partners to maintain our long-term development programmes, which aim to assist Zimbabweans to improve their livelihoods, support those living with HIV and AIDS, prevent the spread of the disease and combat gender based violence.

April 2008