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Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) Zimbabwe (ECHO/ZWE/BUD/2013/91000) Last update: 06/12/2012 Version 1

Countries
Zimbabwe
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ECHO
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The activities proposed hereafter are still subject to the adoption of the financing decision ECHO/WWD/BUD/2013/01000

  1. CONTEXT

Since the peak of the humanitarian crisis as a consequence of the political crisis and socio-economic breakdown in 2008/2009, which resulted in widespread violence, a major food crisis and a large-scale uncontrolled cholera outbreak with 4,000 deaths, the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe has stabilised considerably. Today, Zimbabwe is considered to be in a state of transition and recovery, with the worst effects of past humanitarian and economic crises now mainly subsided. Despite recent progress, the process still presents significant challenges that are expected to continue for several years. Political instability, food insecurity and structural needs affecting the provision of basic services remain tangible threats to recovery. In a worst-case scenario, these factors could result in a new crisis producing significant humanitarian needs. The signature of the Global Political Agreement in 2009 had put an end to the violent political crisis, which arose after the 2008 elections. The two main political parties, ZANU PF of President Mugabe and the two branches of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formed a Government of National Unity. Despite the overall progress on political consensus and joint governance, the polarization is still extremely pronounced and the situation remains largely unpredictable. While the elections deadline (mid-2013) is approaching, there are increasing tensions around the Constitution making process and consensus has yet to be reached. A derailment in the process could lead to early elections without referendum and without consensus. If this happens, the risk of widespread political violence will be very high.

In 2011, the economy grew by 9.3% and was estimated to grow by 9.4% in 2012. However, growth prospects for 2012 have been lowered through underperformance by the major economic sectors in the first quarter of 2012 and the impact of drought on the 2011/2012 season's agricultural production.
The Human Development Index (HDI) 2011 ranks the country 173rd out of 187 countries. Zimbabwe has a Global Needs Assessment (GNA) Vulnerability Index of 3 and a Crisis Index of 3. The population is estimated at between 12-13 million, though this figure much decreased (possibly by 2 million) due to migration, mainly to South Africa.

The main humanitarian needs in Zimbabwe are currently related to: 1) food security, with the specific situation of agricultural season 2011-2012 and the loss of one third of the harvest; 2) requirements relating to specific needs of a wide range of highly vulnerable groups, such as internally displaced people (IDPs), returned migrants, refugees and asylum seeks; 3) the continued threat of disease outbreaks.