Key Points
- 170% improvement in cereal production projected.
- Funding pledges raise cautious optimism.
- Cholera under control.
I. Situation Overview
Developments in Zimbabwe's political and economic landscape have captured international attention, raising hopes for increased humanitarian assistance. This has translated in missions and financial commitments by potential donors, giving rise to cautious optimism. Examples include a recent pledge by the Norwegian government to provide 58 million kroner (US$9 m) in immediate aid to Zimbabwe for health, education, food aid and to support a World Bank multi-donor trust fund to rehabilitate the country.
In addition, a joint scoping mission led by the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) Zimbabwe, in conjunction with the World Bank (WB), European Commission (EC) and African Development Bank (AfDB) in partnership with the government are currently involved in laying the groundwork for a possible future comprehensive needs assessment for Zimbabwe. The mission began its work in April and expects to be through by end of May. The goal of the exercise is to help Zimbabwe to move towards stabilization and sustainable recovery.
Further, the launch of the Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) 2009 revision offers greater hope for assistance, should the donor community heed the call for support. The revision brings requirements to about US$718 million, an increase of $168m from the initial appeal of $550m in November 2008.
An important feature of the revised CAP is its focus on the humanitarian plus approach. The revision includes activities which, although transitional in nature, are considered time-critical and life-saving in the context of Zimbabwe.
It is hoped that these developments, coupled with efforts by the Inclusive Government through political and economic initiatives such as the Short Term Emergency
Recovery Programme ((STERP), will address challenges and improve the lives of the most vulnerable groups.
II. Humanitarian Needs and Response
Health
The number of new cholera cases and deaths continues on a downward trend in most provinces, indicating that the outbreak is now under control. However, there is need for continuous monitoring, particularly in districts that are still reporting new cases.
Out of 55 districts, 62 have been affected, representing 89%. By 31 May 2009, the cumulative number of cases since August 2008 was 98, 429. Although new cases are still being reported mostly in Harare, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces, the number of deaths over the past two weeks has remained static with the cumulative figure since August 2008 being at 4,276 since mid-May 2009. The same applies to cumulative community deaths that have stayed at 2,627. Cumulative Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) stands at 4.3%.
The daily reporting rates by the various districts and provinces remains satisfactory, with an average weekly reporting rate of 97%. The high reporting rate entails that the weekly figures reported reflect a more accurate picture of the cholera incidence in the country, strengthening evidence that the epidemic is almost contained.
Matabeleland North and South provinces reported no cases for the eighth cumulative week while Bulawayo entered its fifth week of reporting zero cases.
Although the epidemic appears to be coming to an end, concerted efforts are still required in the areas which continue to report a high number of cases. Unavailability of safe water and sanitation, which is the major driver of the current epidemic, remains a challenge in most parts of the country. Improved availability of safe water and sanitation, particularly in the densely populated urban areas, will reduce the risk of future cholera outbreaks.
In addition, laboratory surveillance needs to be strengthened to ensure systematic examination of specimens to confirm cases in new areas and to ascertain the definite ending of the epidemic. Further, social mobilization should continue in all areas to keep communities alert to the possibility of another cholera outbreak.
Various organisations continue to lend support towards efforts to control cholera throughout the country. Activities include non-food items (NFI) distribution to ensure minimum stock in case of need.
