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Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in the southern part of Africa and it is home to the incredible Victoria Falls as well as several mountains and national parks.

The official language of Zimbabwe is English, but the majority of the population speaks Shona, which is the native language of the Shona people, and Sindebele, which is spoken by the Matabele people.

A turbulent recent history has caused the collapse of the agriculture-based economy, and natural disasters, as well as HIV and AIDS have pushed people further into poverty.

Zimbabwe is currently facing a serious humanitarian crisis. With rampant inflation and critical food and fuel shortages, more than 80% of the population struggles to survive on less than US $2 a day.

Urgent Issues for Zimbabwe’s future

Zimbabwe’s political and economic crisis has left already vulnerable people facing very difficult circumstances. The crisis is characterized by:

• Shortage of basic commodities
• Negative coping mechanisms for survival
• Zimbabweans leaving the country
• Deteriorating social services
• Rampant inflation
• Politically-motivated violence

To ensure a stable future for Zimbabwe’s children, World Vision advocates for:

• Good governance
• National peace and reconciliation
• Rebuilding the economy
• Effective international relationships
• Effective regional relationships

Hit hard by HIV and AIDS

Zimbabwe is experiencing one of the world’s worst HIV and AIDS epidemics, with more than 1.3 million people living with HIV today, including 120,000 children.
Around 3,000 people die every week as a result of AIDS. There are around 1.3 million orphans who have lost one or both parents to AIDS, which has put a huge burden of care on families and communities left behind.

Hit by drought and flooding

The worst drought in decades, followed by heavy rains and massive flooding in some areas, has left many families in desperate need of food, water, shelter, and healthcare.

Current political situation

Zimbabwe has been gripped by an eight-year political and economic impasse and recently the three main rival parties signed a deal to form a government of national unity that is hoped to pave the way for peace and reconstruction.

World Vision in Zimbabwe

World Vision is:
• Providing emergency food aid to the most vulnerable and working with farming families to increase longer- term food production, involving training in new methods of farming and distribution of drought resistant seed varieties.
• Assisting 75,000 children as part of the sponsorship programme.
• Promoting HIV and AIDS awareness, as well as life-skills for young people, using drama, music, sports and debate competitions in schools.
• Supporting Community Care Coalitions, created to provide organized support to families affected by HIV and AIDS; and working with churches to empower pastors and congregations in the response to HIV and AIDS.
• Working to support communities in providing educational books, keeping children in the class through payment of school fees and the provision of learning facilities like classrooms.
• Prioritising healthcare support to communities through establishment of health facilities and the provision of drugs and other medical supplies.
World Vision began operating in Zimbabwe in 1973, mainly providing assistance to children’s homes and offering relief to Zimbabweans in camps and institutions.

After independence in 1980, focus changed to rehabilitation and small-scale development programmes as the country absorbed exiles and previously displaced groups.

Over the years World Vision has transitioned to large-scale community development programmes designed to address community needs with a specific focus on children, using participatory planning approaches and ensuring sustainability.
Today, World Vision is the largest humanitarian organisation in Zimbabwe, operating relief and development projects across the country benefitting more than one million people.

Humanitarian Profile: Zimbabwe

Region: Southern Africa
Total population: 13.3 million
Ranked 151 out of 177 countries according to Human Development indicators ( HDI)
Life expectancy: 40 years
Humanitarian crisis time frame: 2002 - current
20.1% of population living with HIV and AIDS
One in eight children die before their fifth birthday
One in six children are underweight

Sources: UNAIDS, UNDP

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