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ALERT: Zimbabwe
Drought Response in the Midlands, Northern and Southern Matabeleland Provinces.
08 February 2016
Brief description of the emergency and impact
Zimbabwe experienced a poor 2014/15 agricultural season characterized by dry spells in most parts of the country particularly in Masvingo and Matabeleland North and South Provinces. This has led to losses in agricultural production of an over 60% drop in cereal production as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture Mechanization and Irrigation Development (MAMID). There is also loss of household incomes due to reduced labor opportunities in the agricultural sector.
According to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZIMVAC) 2015, there is a nationwide cereal deficit of over 650,000 MT while an additional 350,000 MT will be required to feed livestock. This has put 1.5 million people at risk of starvation. According to ZIMVAC acute malnutrition in children has risen to 3.3%, up from 2.3% in the previous season. Average household purchasing power in terms of maize grain dropped from 300 kilograms last season to 244 at the start of this consumption season and FEWSNET expects this trend to continue. Despite the ongoing lean-season assistance, FEWSNET reported that most Districts are currently experiencing Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food security outcomes because of a lower than typical level of lean-season assistance.
Why is an ACT response needed?
The current response is inadequate, and will get worse post March 2016 when the current response measures/ interventions end. According to WFP, The current agricultural season is likely to be a lot worse than the 2014/5 season with 90% chance of El Nino induced drought.
The national human food requirement deficit for the country is expected to surpass the 650,000MT that the nation has struggled to meet in the current consumption season, it is in light of these that an ACT response is needed to avert the current and looming food shortages in Zimbabwe.
National and international response
The government through the Ministry of Agriculture Mechanization and Irrigation Development has reportedly imported 1,800 MT of maize as of June 2015, with a further 45,000 MT in stock available for distribution. Import permits of up to 450,000 MT to private importers have been issued.
The government has also made appeals of USD 300 million to development partners for the crisis. WFP has targeted to provide assistance to 800,000 people but they still have a funding deficit of close to 50% to meet that need.
ACT Alliance response
Danish Church Aid has pledged to release USD 250 000 for cash transfers. Christian Aid is currently mobilising internal funds for the response through appeal to trusts and foundations in the United Kingdom. The Lutheran Development Services is working on a funding proposal to Diakonie Emergency Aid though no commitments have been made so far. Christian Care is also developing a funding proposal in collaboration with Oxfam towards mitigating the effects of the drought.
Planned activities
ACT Alliance members in Zimbabwe are planning to coordinate their activities with national government/local authorities as well as other non-state actors and to work on:
• Needs assessment of the affected communities
• Cash transfers to well targeted vulnerable families
• Community dialogues to discuss self-help initiatives
• Setting up income generating projects/activities to diversify income and increase purchasing power of communities affected
• Advocacy to highlight the situation in the communities to national and local authorities
Constraints
The major challenge is the lack of adequate maize to meet the affected vulnerable groups’ needs coupled with low budgets from government to aid sector in Zimbabwe as well donor pull out.
Zimbabwe ACT Forum Contact Information
Forum Coordinator: Sostina M Takure, DanChurch Aid;takures@gmail.com +263 773 521899
Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to the Head of Finance and Administration, Line Hempel (Line.Hempel@actalliance.org).
For further information please contact:
ACT Regional Regional Programme Officer, Arnold Ambundo (Arnold.Ambundo@actalliance.org)
ACT Web Site address: http://www.actalliance.org
