Humanitarian agencies in Zimbabwe are appealing for $268 million to address the urgent needs of eight million vulnerable people through the 2012 Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP).
Officially launching the 2012 CAP , United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) for Zimbabwe, Mr. Alain Noudéhou noted that this amount is almost half of the $478 million requested by the end of 2011
“The humanitarian situation in the country has continued to improve over the past couple of years. 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,” he said.
Humanitarian partners, working with the government, are seeking to address these and other challenges through the CAP. According to the latest Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) report, about a million people, representing 12% 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 per cent and 2.4 per cent respectively, while a third of rural Zimbabweans still drink from unprotected water sources, which continues to expose them to water- borne diseases.
Following an end to the moratorium enjoyed by Zimbabwean migrants to South Africa from April 2009, deportation of irregular migrants from that country resumed in October 2011 and created new challenges as the needs of deportees have to be met. This is exacerbated by the forced return of an average 2,500 people per month from Botswana, many of whom require humanitarian assistance.
Over the past five years, the humanitarian response, through the 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.
Currently, the 2011 CAP is 45.6% funded at $218 million. Improved donor support towards the 2012 CAP will help to consolidate the progress made over the last few years, thereby firmly planting Zimbabwe on the road to recovery and building the country’s resilience.
All activities of the CAP will be undertaken while ensuring humanitarian and government priorities remain complementary.
The CAP is the humanitarian sector’s main tool for coordination, strategic planning, programming and fundraising. It has contributed significantly to developing a more strategic approach to the provision of humanitarian aid and fostered closer cooperation between government, donors, aid agencies, the Red Cross Movement and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
