Humanitarian Situation in Zimbabwe Issue Number 9 Reporting Period July 2006

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1 UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Zimbabwe NATIONS UNIES Bureau de Coordination des des Affaires Humanitaires Zimbabwe Humanitarian Situation in Zimbabwe Issue Number 9 Reporting Period July 2006 HIGHLIGHTS 2006 consolidated appeal for Zimbabwe now 44% funded, being US$144,487,180 (see section II & page 7) 170,000 tonnes wheat deficit (see section III, Food Security and Livelihoods) Zim dollar slashed by 3 zeros, devalued by 60% (see section III, Economic Recovery) Tax free income increased but below PDL (see section III, Food Security and Livelihoods) Masvingo HIV&AIDS report (see section III, Health) Progress report on Operation Garikai (see section III, Shelter) Survey and assessment results (see section VI) See map and population figures for Zimbabwe on page 7 I. ESSENTIAL STATISTICS/DATA 11,750 million country population in 10 provinces, with 61 districts (CSO) 2.4 million people affected in varying degrees and 700,000 people lost shelter, livelihoods due to Operation Restore Order/Murambatsvina of May July 2005 (UNSG Special Envoy s Report on Zimbabwe, 18/07/05 figures disputed in the GoZ response.) 20.1% HIV prevalence rate for age group years; (National Estimates, MoHCW 2005) 1.6 million people of all ages are HIV infected (MoHCW, National Estimates 2005). 1.3 million children orphaned by 2003, about1 million due to AIDS. (UNICEF) 1,5 million people live with disabilities 1,184% inflation rate down from 1,193.5% in May (CSO) 70-80% unemployment rate Z$68,5m (US$678) cost of living for a family of five up from Z$41m in May. (CSO) II. FUNDING - Financial Tracking Systems ( Consolidated Appeal (CAP): Zimbabwe 2006 The current level of 44% funding for CAP projects is encouraging to the humanitarian community in the country. However, most of the funding has gone to the food sector, which is 81% funded, and coordination and support services, which is 60% funded. It is important to note that while the 2006 CAP reflects US$ 90.3m as contributions to the food sector, 96% of these contributions were received prior to the CAP launch in 2005 but utilized in (See tables on page 7) The CAP is a common planning, programming, advocacy and fundraising document aimed at coordinated humanitarian response and produced by the collective efforts of the humanitarian community, namely the UN, government, NGOs and donors. Its success therefore depends on the active participation of these parties. For more information on the 2006 CAP funding please refer to the website links below; i. List of Appeal Projects (grouped by sector), with funding status of each as of 30-July-2006 (visit ii. List of commitments/contributions and pledges to projects listed in the Appeal as of 30-July-2006 (visit iii. Requirements, Commitments/Contributions and Pledges per Appealing Organization as of 30-July (visit Emergency Funding (CAP & Non-CAP): Zimbabwe 2006 For funding tables that show the total funding to the Zimbabwe humanitarian response in 2006, please refer to the website links below; i. Total Humanitarian Assistance per Donor (Appeal plus other*)(carry over not included) as of 30-July (visit ii. List of all commitments/contributions and pledges as of 30-July-2006 (visit 1

2 III. HUMANITARIAN SITUATION ANALYSIS Note: This section only reports on the humanitarian situation. For humanitarian response refer to section V below. Food security and livelihoods [from FAO, OCHA and WFP) While the government hailed the 2006 maize production estimated at 1,2mt on average, there will be about 170,000 tonnes deficit from the winter wheat crop. Government revealed that 53% (57,835.8 hectares) of the targeted 109,367 ha have been cultivated. Annual wheat consumption ranges from 383, ,000 tonnes. Therefore bread shortages are expected. Coupled with food shortages, the cost of living is increasing. Electricity tariffs have gone up by 100% effective 19 July. The tax-free threshold was reviewed upwards from Z$7m (US$23) to Z$20m (US$67) a month by the Minister of Finance Dr Hebert Murerwa when he announced the Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review on 26 th July. Market analysts said this adjustment would go some way in cushioning Zimbabwean workers whose livelihoods are difficult. However, the adjustment fails to match the 1,184% inflation and the Z$68m poverty datum line. Food Aid [from OCHA & WFP) Private media reported that at least 650,000 people in Zimbabwe's southern Masvingo province will require food aid this year following poor harvests, according to the provincial administrator, Felix Chikovo. The worst affected areas are said to include Chiredzi, Mwenezi and some parts of Chivi district where some families did not harvest enough food. WFP monitors reported a general improvement in maize grain availability across the country as a result of the harvest. However, food availability in the open market in some central, eastern and southern districts of the country is affected by restriction of grain movement by the government. Maize grain prices range from Z$29,000 (US$0.10) to Z$34,000 (US$0.11) per kilogramme. Price monitoring by WFP shows a drop in the year-on-year food inflation to 812% in June compared to almost 2,000% in March during the hungry preharvest season. This is in line with the marginal drop in annual inflation rate as reported by the CSO. Health [from OCHA] Masvingo districts have recorded HIV prevalence rates that exceed the 20.1% national average. Out of 1,279,953 provincial population, 16,147 are living with HIV and AIDS while 53,817 children are orphaned by the scourge. Of those living with AIDS, 1,955 are on anti-retroviral treatment. (Report of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Welfare on HIV and AIDS Programmes in Masvingo Province, May 2006). Prevalence rates by district are as follows Mwenezi (39.1%), Chivi (35.5%), Zaka (32.0%), Bikita (28.2%), Masvingo Urban (27.9%), Masvingo Rural (26.9%), Chiredzi (23.9%) and Gutu (20.7%). (Refer to section V for response.)(note: OCHA will make efforts to obtain other district reports from NAC). 270 junior doctors in government service have been on strike since 13 July demanding better salaries and working conditions. The strike has increased the risk and suffering of patients that formed long queues in major government hospitals with only nurses attending to them. The government media on 30 July reported that public hospitals are also turning away patients that fail to pay hospital fees up-front against a government directive not to do so. Public hospitals have been commercialized in order to fund their operations. Consultation fee is Z$1,3m (US$4,33) at central hospitals, Z$400,000 (US$1,33) at district hospitals and treatment is free at rural clinics. An x-ray costs Z$7m (US$23) at the government referral hospitals. The government media has reported serious shortages of drugs combined with unaffordable fees in hospitals. Meanwhile, UNICEF has reported that it has concluded an agreement with the Government that will allow for rapid customs clearance of life-saving drugs. Recent discussions at the Country Coordinating Mechanism for the Global Fund (CCM) and other fora has raised concerns around diminishing capacity in the health sector for adequate medical follow-up of large numbers of HIV/AIDS patients due to massive emigration of trained healthcare staff. Child Protection Reports of child abuse throughout the country continue to feature in the national media. Shelter and NFI (Mobile and Vulnerable People) [from OCHA] Operation Garikai phase one: 3,311 housing units out of a national target 5,000 houses had been roofed while 41 vendor marts and 17 factory shells had been completed by December 2005 according to a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government report of June The progress report highlighted challenges like servicing of sites, fuel shortages, labour action and funding disbursements as 2

3 limiting factors for the government reconstruction programme launched on 29 June 2005, largely to benefit people affected by Operation Murambatsvina/Restore Order. Summary of progress on Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle at sites visited by the Parliamentary Committee City Target Houses Houses Roofed Kadoma Gweru Bulawayo Harare i. Hatcliffe ii.whitecliffe iii. Hopley ( 1000 ) ( 1185 ) 600 Total 2,443 1,240 Revised target Over 90 people were arrested by the police from Killaney (a squatter) settlement and from the streets of Bulawayo City, southern Zimbabwe according to Churches-in-Bulawayo (CIB). CIB informed that they had secured the release of the squatters from police custody and have provided them with food assistance while looking into ways of providing shelter for them and land for settlement from the chiefs. CIB needs resources to find temporary shelter for over 40 people and to relocate 50 people that have opted to be assisted to resettle in rural areas. The population of Hopley Farm settlement has increased by 400 families to 2,200 while that at Hatcliffe Extension has risen to 1,526 from 1,040 over the past few weeks. This latest influx of displaced people has increased demand for more water and sanitation facilities than were already provided by UNICEF and some NGOs. OCHA and UNICEF are looking into ways of meeting the additional needs. The fate of over 250 families re-settled at Nyamukwarara in Mutasa District, Manicaland Province remains uncertain. The people were initially told that they would be moved to another area by 30 June as the area they are currently living in is a forestry area. The people remain in the area. The lack of a concrete decision on the fate of the people has caused the Forestry Commission to withdraw their offer to construct a foot bridge in partnership with UNICEF and IOM. If the people remain there until the rainy season, their vulnerability will be complicated by being cut off from services and other communities by persistently flooded Nyamukwarara River. The people are receiving water from wells that were sunk by UNICEF. UNICEF, IOM and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are in discussions to resolve the Nyamukwarara issue. Water and sanitation [from OCHA] The costs of water and sanitation equipment, especially the traditional bush pump have escalated to unaffordable levels. It now costs about US$20,000 to install a single bush pump. Planned targets in responding to watsan needs are either partly met or not achieved altogether by both government and NGOs because of the escalating costs of doing business in the hyperinflationary economy of Zimbabwe. The water and sanitation working group has set up a technology taskforce to look at alternative ways and technologies of going round the negative cost implications. The National Action Committee (NAC) on the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (RWSSP) has recognized the need for vertical and horizontal communication between the government, NGOs and the UN system on research and development for the provision of water and sanitation in both emergency and development programming. This would reduce the time it takes for government to assess, adopt or condemn cheaper technologies like the rope & washer pump, ecological sanitation toilet, etc, which have taken too long to be formalized. Economic Recovery [OCHA] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appealed to the humanitarian community to fund and support income generating activities for the vulnerable population and has proposed a larger joint humanitarian strategy. Currently, the economic recovery/livelihoods projects in the CAP that cover income generating activities are 0% funded ($5,317,188 was requested) in the CAP. OCHA appeals to the donors to fund inter alia the livelihoods projects in the CAP. Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe on 31 July slashed the country s currency by three zeros replacing it with a new set of 13 bearer cheques ranging from 1 cent to $100,000. The currency was devalued to US$1 : Z$250 (Z$250,000 in old currency). The market is busy adjusting to this phase of currency reforms while phase two, which will see actual bank notes (not bearer cheques) being introduced is being worked on. The reforms are meant to bring stability and convenience when transacting and to deal with illegal foreign currency dealers and speculators that have been keeping at least Z$35 trillion in their homes leaving at least Z$10 trillion in the formal market

4 Education High cost of school fees and perceived deteriorating quality of education remain the main challenges to affected children. Two million primary school age children attend school with a textbook pupil ratio of 1:8 and over 1.5 million year olds at secondary school with textbook pupil ratios of 1:6. As a result of the lack of access to learning materials in schools, performance rates have been declining (grade 7 pass-rates are 42%). IV. COORDINATION Following an observation by both OCHA and the government that information from the government is lacking in the situation reports that are circulated to the humanitarian community and the government at large, OCHA is following up with relevant line ministries for information on government humanitarian activities and information sharing on who is doing what and where. The Nutrition Atlas Who is doing What Where has been completed by UNICEF and has documented all nutrition interventions in Zimbabwe. It is currently being analyzed to identify gaps and recommendations for nutrition programming. Continued advocacy efforts with donors by humanitarian agencies in Harare as well as senior management at headquarters are required to raise more funds for critical sectors listed in the CAP such as shelter and non-food items, which is currently 21% funded, water and sanitation (15%), education (7%), agriculture (5%), health (2%) and economic recovery and livelihoods (0%). It is difficult for the humanitarian actors to respond to listed sectoral needs because of lack of funding. These sectors if funded are the backbone for a human being s dignity and they also minimize dependency on relief aid. The government of Zimbabwe together with UNICEF have issued a call for proposals from private voluntary organizations (PVOs) to support the implementation of the National Action Plan for Orphans and other Vulnerable Children (OVCs). The call for proposals published through national newspapers and 10 provincial workshops will consider funding initiatives that support families and communities to improve the quality of life for OVCs. To date DFID, the European Commission, New Zealand AID and Sida (Sweden) have commited funds to this national initiative administered by UNICEF. The National AIDS Council(NAC) led consultative process of developing the Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (ZNASP) is close to finalisation. It is expected that the ZNASP will be launched in August. The UN Theme Group on HIV and AIDS, facilitated by UNAIDS, has supported the consultative process and provided input to the ZNASP together with other sectors like NGOs, People Living with HIV and AIDS, the business sector, Faith Based organisations and Government. V. COMMON SERVICES AND RESPONSE Note: This section outlines the humanitarian community s actions and response to the situation reported in section IV above Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) donated US$ and euro to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) for vaccination and awareness campaigns against Newcastle and avian influenza This year, 2006 WFP will appeal for 70,000 to 80,000 tonnes compared to 300,000 tonnes last year. According to the 2006/2007 cereal harvest, there is an estimated gap of between 300,000 and 500,000 tonnes. WFP is providing food assistance to about 1 million beneficiaries per month with approximately 8,000 metric tonnes of food through targeted activities, namely urban feeding, assistance for mobile and vulnerable persons, home based care for the chronically ill, support for orphans and vulnerable children, school feeding and family child health and nutrition support. World Vision Zimbabwe (WVZ) has registered 7,620 beneficiaries for the winter crop programme funded by DFID in Insiza and Matobo districts as well as a comprehensive agricultural recovery programme funded by ECHO in Mangwe, Gwanda and Beitbridge districts. Under WVZ food for assets programme; a total of 109,493mt of commodities were distributed to 1,534 workers in Insiza district under the Malole irrigation scheme and Gobalodanje gully reclamation projects while 7,367mt of commodities were distributed to 100 workers at Tongwe irrigation scheme in Beitbridge. Under vulnerable group feeding, 15,113 beneficiaries received mt of commodities in Gwanda district. A total of 613 beneficiaries in Bulilima district received 6.130mt of commodities. WVZ s Expanded Schools Feeding Program benefited 1,492 pupils with 98,038mt of commodities (dry rations of cereals, pulses and oil) in Gwanda district mt of oil, cereals and pulses were distributed to 10,857 chronically ill patients in 7 districts of Matebeleland provinces in June. In July, UNICEF provided 50 HBC kits and 453 tablets of soap to Kariba municipality in support to reestablish their home based care programme that was affected by Operation Muarabatsvina. 4

5 Approximately 16,600 clients are benefiting from the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) home based care (HBC) programme countrywide. The target could not be readily established. 41,000 orphans and other vulnerable children (OVCs), many of whom are orphaned and affected or infected by HIV / AIDS, are receiving food, non-food items (bath & laundry soaps, body oils, towels etc), school fees, supplementary feeding, shelter and psychosocial support from the ZRCS. Of these, about 2,500 are from child headed families. ZRCS is piloting an anti-retroviral programme in Chivi and Mt Darwin districts, which is already benefiting 1,500 of the 5,000 targeted people with most funding from the Danish Red Cross. The gap cannot be filled due to lack of funding. The IFRC is assisting ZRCS with fundraising. The National AIDS Council (NAC) in Masvingo funded the home-based care programme by providing 2,931 patients with food packs which consist of 500g beans, 750ml cooking oil, kapenta and 10kg mealiemeal per patient per month. The patients were also given soap and blankets. A total of 861 care givers were trained and provided with uniforms and care kits. In 2005, 14,184 patients benefited from the nutritional and herbal gardens while 4,205 people living with AIDS were assisted with hospital fees with funds from the National AIDS Trust Fund. The committee recommended that care givers on the NAC programme also receive allowances and bicycles as those on NGO programmes do because they are looking after patients on behalf of the government. (Parliamentary Committee Report on Masvingo, May 2006). World Vision has provided 120 mobile and vulnerable households with shelter construction materials with funding from DFID. The people are constructing their shelters. WVZ is implementing a water and sanitation program in Guruve, Hurungwe, Buhera, Gokwe and Bulawayo City; the program is funded by ECHO. A total of 934 boreholes have been audited. Plan International supported the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare in the training of 25 rural health centre nurses on safe motherhood in Kwekwe district. Plan also provided safe motherhood equipment in the form of diagnostic kits to 28 rural health centres serving a population of 325,140. A total of 49,562 children are registered in the World Vision Zimbabwe country programme and the organization has revised its child protection policy to meet the needs and protect the rights of children. UNICEF continues to deliver of 105,000 litres of safe drinking water daily to the vulnerable population at Hatcliffe Extension whilst work on the connection of reticulated water system at Hatcliffe is at an advanced stage. Construction of household ecological sanitation latrines and hygiene education is in progress in Victoria Falls, Hopley and Hatcliffe. Drilling of boreholes at 10 schools in Masvingo province to benefit school pupils is in progress and is expected to be completed by mid August In response to the deterioting education system as a result of economic crisis UNICEF and its partners, have procured text books. An estimated 140,000 children will receive textbooks on a 1:1 ratio in core curricula areas: Environmental Science, HIV and AIDS, Social Studies, English and Maths. Further to reports of increased Cross Border Migration of Zimbabweans in search for jobs in neighboring countries, vulnerable children from Zimbabwe are also part of the illegal cross border job seekers in neighboring countries. UNICEF, IOM, and Save the Children Norway Zimbabwe in partnership with the Ministry of Public Service, Labor, and Social Welfare, is putting in place a protection mechanism for unaccompanied children deported back from South Africa. The joint activity will provide an interim care at the Beitbridge Child Center and support these children with counseling, family tracing, assessment and reunification services with their respective families/relatives. UNICEF,in partnership with UNFPA, UNDP, UNIFEM and the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Women s Affairs facilitated a discussion forum in Bulawayo for 150 people comprising of MPs, senators and other provincial leadership, in and out of school youths and church leadership of Matebeleland North to mobilize support for the Domestic Violence Bill and prevention and control of GBV and Care for survivors. VI. ASSESSMENTS, FIELD MISSIONS AND ADVOCACY Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment 2006 It is reported that ZimVAC data analysis is in progress. FAO Survey on Impact of Agricultural Assistance FAO has just concluded a national survey on the impact of NGO assistance to agriculture. The survey involved 17 NGOs, 17 districts and 2,402 households were interviewed. The results show that 60% of the households will have food stocks up to December, when the next planting season starts, which is an improvement from 26% last year Erattic supplies of fertilizer, seeds and unaffordable input prices as well as lack of draught power by some households were cited as causal factors for low yields. The lowest harvests of cereals were reported in Chipinge, Bulilima and Mutoko districts. 5

6 Household Livelihood Assessment (Care International) The assessment covered 6,488 household in 10 districts from Masvingo and Midlands provinces. Summary results; o Households with orphans has 0.83 dependency o o Chronic illness affects mainly people between 31 to 35 years of all income levels Generally there is an increase in crop production (yields) in 2006 but livestock production is going down as some is sold to buy food and pay school fees. Bulawayo Vulnerability Assessment (World Vision) The assessment was carried out in the high density suburbs of Bulawayo, where 83% of the city population resides. 600 households were interviewed to assess food and livelihoods security. Results showed that of the 600 households sample, 65% were poor, 28% were just managing and 7% were better off. The poor are spending most of their income on food at the expense of health care. Some sell their assets in order to buy food. There is increased need for food security in the area. Field Tour of Harare South UN Agencies participated on a tour of Harare South constituency to identify areas of assistance. The team visited Hopley Farm and Epworth and obtained an overview of the situation, but indicated to the MP that detailed and rapid needs assessments are needed to determine the needs and respond appropriately. The tour was at the request of the Member of Parliament representing the area. VII. KEY MEDIA REPORTS DISCLAIMER: Reproduction of media reports here does not mean that UNOCHA can vouch for the accuracy or veracity of the contents of these publications, nor do these reports reflect the views of the United Nations on Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe: Global Fund to Bankroll ARV Scale-Up Zimbabwe says it hopes to more than double the number of people on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to 70,000 by the end of this year, with help from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Raymond Yekeye, of the National AIDS Council, confirmed that the government was expecting a grant of around US$60 million for the procurement of ARVs, and to support HIV voluntary counselling and testing programmes. He told Agence France-Presse that although 32,000 people had been accessing ARVs since 2004, when the free rollout programme was launched, there were still an estimated 300,000 people in urgent need of the drugs Orphans Drop Out Of School In Murehwa At least 700 orphans have dropped out of school in Murehwa since 2004 after some non-governmental organisations that were paying for their school fees withdrew the aid. Many of the orphans lost their parents to HIV and Aids-related illnesses. Villagers who witnessed the launch of the $8,26 billion community-based child rights programme by Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in the area last week, said the situation got out of hand in 2004 when organisations that seemed sympathetic to the needs of the orphans withdrew their assistance. Zim to benefit from EC donation Twenty-five million euro (US $31.4 million) has gone towards maintaining urgent food assistance over the next quarter to 800,000 of the most vulnerable people in Zimbabwe, including children threatened with malnourishment and patients receiving anti-retroviral therapy. Preliminary crop reports released last month indicate that the region as a whole has had a better 2005/06 harvest season than in the previous four years of erratic rainfall. Zimbabwe: Arex Needs More Chemicals to Fight Quelea Birds Official The Department of Agricultural Research and Extension Services (Arex) needs another litres of queletox to fight (over 150 million) quelea birds which are threatening the winter wheat yield. Arex director Dr Shadreck Mlambo yesterday said owing to foreign currency shortages, they were unable to purchase sufficient chemicals on time. Last year, 50 percent of the wheat crop grown around the country was lost owing to the lack of effective and timely control of the red beaked birds. 6

7 CAP & NON-CAP FUNDING PER DONORS CAP FUNDING PER SECTORS Emergency Funding - Total Humanitarian Assistance per Donor (Appeal plus other*)(carry over not included) CAP Zimbabwe 2006 Requirements, Commitments per Sector Donor Contributions % of Uncommitte Sector Requirements Commitments/ % Covered USD Grant Total d pledges Contributions/ Carry over Carry-over (donors not specified) 68,038, % 0 Agriculture 43,930,133 2,342,000 5% United Kingdom 71,001, % 7,329,907 Coordination & Support 2,611,905 1,565,758 60% Services European Commission (ECHO) 12,100, % 5,477,763 Economic recovery & 5,317, % infrastructure Sweden 6,524, % 0 Education 4,540, ,997 7% Ireland 3,811, % 0 Food 111,000,000 90,347,100 81% Norway 1,473, % 0 Health 36,529, ,587 2% Private (individuals & organisations) 1,147, % 0 Multi-sector 19,935,536 9,133,029 46% Allocations of funds unearmarked by UN 956, % 0 Protection 8,029,990 1,882,050 23% Australia 1,150, % 375,094 Unspecified 0 2,441,899 0% Netherlands 2,780, % 0 Security 100, % Spain 586, % 0 Shelter & NFI 10,365,000 2,166,277 21% Denmark 525, % 0 Water and Sanitation 15,343,604 2,348,534 15% Central Emergency Response Fund 999, % 0 Grand Total 257,704, ,217,231 44% (CERF) Japan 2,582, % 0 France 1,584, % 0 Switzerland 41, % 0 United States 33,697, % 0 Canada 751, % 0 Belgium 181, % 0 NOTES: Germany 1,933, % 0 These tables were compiled by OCHA Financial Tracking Systems (FTS) on South Africa 8, % 0 the basis of information provided by donors and appealing organizations. Grand Total 211,876, % 13,182,764 7