• Crisis Severity ?
    3.7
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Impact ?
    3.2
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Humanitarian Conditions ?
    4.0
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Complexity ?
    3.4
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Access Constraints ?
    2.0
    No constraints
    Extreme constraints
See all indicators

Key figures

  • 5,570,000 People in Need [?]
  • 13 % live with HIV/AIDS [?]
  • 5,300,000 drought affected population [?]
  • 270,000 people affected by Cyclone Idai [?]

Overview

31/05/2019

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 5.6 million people are estimated in urgent need of humanitarian assistance from February to May 2019, with at least 5.3 million people facing Crisis (IPC 3) or Emergency (IPC 4) food insecurity levels as droughts and the economic crisis affect food prices, access, and availability. ? This is a dramatic increase from the estimated 567,000 people classified as food insecure in June 2018.? 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

31/05/2019

No recent significant humanitarian developments. This country is being monitored by our analysis team. 

Humanitarian Access

31/05/2019

Moderate constraints

Zimbabwe remains mostly accessible to humanitarian assistance.  Main issues evolve around physical access constraints such as road infrastructure in eastern provinces, especially in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts where Cyclone Idai caused significant damage. ?

Sporadic reports that aid is being denied to targeted beneficiaries who are perceived to support the opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) persists.?

Key Priorities

31/05/2019

WASH: Old and poorly maintained WASH facilities need investment and upgrades to prevent continual waterborne disease outbreaks and to guarantee potable water supplies. ?

Food security:  IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) food security levels are widespread in 2019, 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. ?

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Source: IPC, February - May 2019
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Source: Nations Online
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