Food Assistance Fact Sheet- Zimbabwe

February 4, 2013

Food Security Situation                             

CIA World Factbook

• Zimbabwe is a low-income, food-deficit country.  Increasing levels of poverty and high unemployment constrain the ability of many households to access food.  As a result of complex political and economic policies, it ranks 173 of 187 on the UN Development Program (UNDP) 2011 Human Development Index.

• According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), reduced harvest due to the 2011-2012 seasonal drought in the southern half of the Zimbabwe may lead to above-average emergency food assistance needs. 

• The Government of Zimbabwe estimates that more than1.6 million people, equivalent to 19 percent of the rural population, will be food-insecure in Zimbabwe between January and March 2013.  This figure represents a 60 percent increase from those in need of food assistance in early 2012. 

Food Assistance Programs

• The Office of Food for Peace (FFP) contributes in-kind vegetable oil and pulses as well as cash to buy cereals for the UN World Food Program's (WFP) Seasonal Targeted Assistance Program.

• FFP also supports activities that promote resiliency and improve communities’ ability to mitigate shocks in eight highly food-insecure districts through the Promoting Recovery in Zimbabwe (PRIZE) program.  Interventions include asset building activities that support the construction and development of dams, community gardens, and livestock dip tanks.  PRIZE activities also enhance market linkages and value chains, establish rural savings and loan groups, and promote conservation agriculture, seed security, and improved livestock practices.

Food for Peace Contributions

Total Contributions:                                                                 

Fiscal Year 2013 Contribution Breakdown:

Food Security Situation information is provided by FAO, FEWS NET and  WFP as of February 2013

Country Specific Guidance

• Fiscal Year 2013 Zimbabwe Country Specific Information