Humanitarian situation in Zim improves

economic recovery.
Organisations dealing with the humanitarian needs in the country under the 2012 Consolidated Appeal Process asked for US$268 million compared to US$478 they requested for this year.
The bulk of the money is required for food in areas hit by drought last season.
Officiating at the launch of the 2012 CAP last week, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Co-ordinator for Zimbabwe, Mr Alain Noudehou said the money would cater for eight million vulnerable people throughout the year.
“The humanitarian situation in the country has continued to improve over the past couple of years,” he said.
“However, challenges still exist such as food insecurity affecting a million people, waterborne disease outbreaks in parts of the country and mass deportations of thousands of Zimbabweans from neighbouring countries.”
The Minister of Regional Integration and International Co-operation, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga congratulated CAP partners for doing well in the past. She said last year, CAP got 46 percent of the money it required.
“CAP provides a forum for Government to engage with the civil society, evaluate the impact of aid on the society and come up with different innovative solutions to challenges,” she said.
Mrs Misihairabwi Mushonga said there used to be a lot of mistrust between the two parties, but they are able to come up with a conclusive document.
She urged members of the NGOs to join the ministry’s visits to the communities to assess what is taking place on the ground and have a common understanding.
Humanitarian partners, working with Government, seek to address challenges facing vulnerable people through CAP.
According to the latest Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee report, about one million people, representing 12 percent of the rural population, will require food assistance at the peak of the lean season between November 2011 and March 2012.
Rates of chronic and acute child malnutrition still stand at 34 percent and 2,4 percent respectively, while a third of rural Zimbabweans still drink from unprotected water sources, which continues to expose them to water-borne diseases.
Over the past five years, the humanitarian response, through CAP, has contributed to saving lives by providing food to vulnerable populations, ensuring access to potable water for those in need and supporting vital social services, including health and education.