• Crisis Severity ?
    3.3
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Impact ?
    2.2
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Humanitarian Conditions ?
    4.0
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Complexity ?
    3.0
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Access Constraints ?
    1.0
    No constraints
    Extreme constraints
See all indicators

Key figures

  • 3,580,000 People in Need [?]
  • 5,300,000 drought affected population [?]
  • 270,000 people affected by Cyclone Idai [?]

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

14/05/2020

14/05/2020: Increased cases of malaria have spiked since an outbreak began in January. Over the week of 20-26 of April, 33,171 cases and 21 deaths were recorded, bringing the total from January to April to 236,365, with 226 deaths. Although peak malaria season in Zimbabwe normally occurs during the warm, wet season between February and April, case numbers are almost double those recorded at the same point in 2019 (118,000 cases and 118 deaths). The most affected areas are Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland East. A major factor increasing malaria spread in the affected communities is the government's current focus on COVID-19 and the complexities it presents. Given malaria and COVID-19 symptoms can be similar (headaches and fever) and because malaria can co-exist with other diseases and infections, there is a growing fear that people in rural communities who have COVID-19 would be misdiagnosed as having malaria, thereby increasing misdiagnosis and spread of both diseases.?

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. ?

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Source: Nations Online
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