Zimbabwe

Overview

The political situation in Zimbabwe has become increasingly strained following the Zimbabwean army’s removal of President Robert Mugabe in November 2017. The country is in economic crisis, its impact seen in the costs and reduced availability of food, fuel, and medicines. With legitimate and alternative currencies quickly devaluing against the US dollar, inflation and liquidity shortages are expected to worsen unless effective measures are taken. Should the economy collapse, as in 2008, serious consequences for food security and health are very likely.?

Some 5.5 million people in rural areas are estimated in urgent need of food assistance from in November 2019, due to erratic rainfall and drought. In urban areas, as many as 2.2 million people lack access to food, health, and other basic service.?At the same time cholera and typhoid outbreaks are putting extreme pressure on Zimbabwe’s underfunded health system and dilapidated WASH infrastructure. ?

The already fragile humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe is compounded by the impact of Tropical Cyclone Idai, which affected around 270,000 people in Manicaland, Masvingo, and parts of Mashonaland East provinces. ? Underlying vulnerabilities such as high food security levels, limited livelihood opportunities, and limited access to health services have been reinforced, including the risks of renewed outbreaks of waterborne diseases. ?

INFORM measures Zimbabwe’s risk of humanitarian crisis and disaster at 5.2/10 mainly referencing droughts and floods. Lack of coping capacity and vulnerability are of particular concern at 5.7/10 and 5.2/10 respectively.?

Latest Developments

The deteriorating economic situation has continued to disrupt health services and affect food security across the country. The ongoing doctor’s strike, which began in September, is causing major staff shortages in public hospitals. The persisting macroeconomic crisis is also a driver of food insecurity in both rural and urban areas. Reports indicate that price fluctuations caused by high inflation has left many people unable to purchase basic goods and services, especially as wages in the country have dramatically eroded. The public health system in Zimbabwe was in dire condition even before the strike began, suffering from poor facilities, inadequate equipment, and a persistent shortage of doctors. Additionally, severe drought has already had an impact on agriculture production, causing widespread food insecurity for much of the rural population.?