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Crisis Severity0 Very lowVery high 5
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Impact0 Very lowVery high 5
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Humanitarian Conditions0 Very lowVery high 5
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Complexity0 Very lowVery high 5
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Access ConstraintsNo constraintsExtreme constraints
Key figures
Overview
23/04/2020
The political situation in Zimbabwe has become increasingly strained following the Zimbabwean army’s removal of President Robert Mugabe in November 2017. Since 2008, the country has been in economic crisis, with impacts 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.?Coupled with economic and political issues is Zimbabwe's worsening health crisis. Doctors and other health workers are embarking on indefinite strikes since 2019 to protest lack of pay and government’s inability to provide medical facilities at hospitals. Cholera and typhoid outbreaks are putting extreme pressure on Zimbabwe’s health system and dilapidated WASH infrastructure.?The already fragile humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe is compounded by the impact of Tropical Cyclone Idai (March 2019), 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.?
Latest Developments
09/09/2020
09/09/2020: Locusts are threatening food security and livelihoods of 7 million people in Southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe). Local outbreaks have surged in the region since May 2020. The region is already facing the impacts of drought and the COVID-19 pandemic on food security. The situation in Zimbabwe is of particular concern, with 30% of the population (especially in rural areas) acutely food insecure. 4.3 million people are in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse levels of food insecurity. To prevent the spreading of swarms and support the efforts of the governments of the four affected countries, FAO launched on 7 September a response and preparedness project in collaboration with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa (IRLCO-CSA). The project will focus on emergency response and foster coordination between the actors.?
26/08/2020: The number of food-insecure people in Zimbabwe is anticipated to increase by almost 50% by the end of the year. 8.6 million people (60% of the population), including 5.3 million living in rural areas, are expected to be food insecure owing to drought, economic recession, and COVID-19.?
18/08/2020: Inflation rates have by August risen to 837% from 737%. This marks an almost 100% increase from June to July. This has also affected the prices of basic goods, including fuel, bread and cereals, which have risen by at least 36%. The Zimbabwean dollar continue losing its value against international currencies.?
ACAPS' team is daily monitoring the impact of COVID-19. Find more information related to the outbreak here.
Key Priorities
28/11/2019
WASH: Old and poorly maintained WASH facilities need investment and upgrades to prevent continual waterborne disease outbreaks and to guarantee potable water supplies. Lack of currency in the country and power blackouts have resulted in the closure of water treatment plants, leaving up to 2 million people without access to clean water. ?
Food security: IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) food security levels are widespread, with price rises due to the economic crisis further impacting food availability. ?
Livelihoods: Zimbabwe’s economic crises and several other factors have contributed to an unemployment rate of 80%, which, combined with rising inflation, means livelihood support needs are high. ?
Health: Access to health care has become restricted as shortages of medicine and medical staff persist as economic crisis continues to worsen. ?
