OCHA has been present in Zimbabwe since January, 2006 with the aim of coordinating effective and principled humanitarian action. OCHA works on four core functions: alleviate human suffering in Zimbabwe caused by food insecurity, HIV/AIDS, and rapid decline in social services; promotion of preparedness and prevention efforts to reduce future vulnerability to natural disasters; advocating for the rights of people in need; and facilitating sustainable solutions to address root causes.
Zimbabwe faces tremendous challenges, many of which are similar to those experienced in other countries in Southern Africa, i.e. rapid decline in public institutional capacity for social services delivery, food insecurity and HIV and AIDS. Zimbabwe however faces additional challenges emanating from the country’s policy actions, which have led to differences with her international partners, and which have further resulted in widening and deepening vulnerabilities.
The main factors that are contributing to the trend of deepening vulnerability of population include:
- The HIV and AIDS pandemic;
- The restructuring of the agricultural sector and its impact on food security and livelihoods;
- The depleted capacity in the social and health service sectors;
- The impact of Operation Murambatsvina/Restore Order;
- The sustained economic decline over the last five years
These factors are interrelated, and their combined effect has led to a significant reduction in the quality of life for the population as well as in the ability of Zimbabwe to reach its MDG targets.
OCHA strategises to continue
- to promote the humanitarian principles through training of the various actors, regular field visits, consultations with various actors and advocacy
- Improve the humanitarian protection to vulnerable people and to other marginalized groups through principled assessments, response and advocacy
- Establish with all the stakeholders a disaster preparedness strategy (Early warning, action preparedness and response
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