All places are food insecure. The worst affected are Masvingo, Bulawayo and Hwange. This is followed by Gokwe, Mutare and Gweru, then Harare and Chinhoyi.
70% - 90% of interviewed households are barely managing to meet their food needs. Only 5% - 10% of households are accessing food assistance. Many households are either picking wild foods, selling animals, selling household goods, or engaging in sex work.
All health centres, clinics and hospitals require food.
At least 200 cases of school children fainting from hunger at schools were reported.
The Caritas Zimbabwe 2009 Appeal
The human tragedy in Zimbabwe has long been a concern for Catholic Church and Caritas. The Caritas appeal aims to save lives and limit suffering, while providing support to livelihoods, education, health and water.
Who we are helping
The most vulnerable, regardless of religion, ethnicity or politics. While aid has been politicized in the past, it is not something our programmes have suffered from as the Church is recognised within the country as an impartial giver of help in times of national emergency.
We’re targeted new mothers, babies, the sick, children, the poorest, homes where the father or both parents have been lost, and staff who work at key institutions (Catholic and Non-Catholic) such as schools and hospitals so that we can keep them running.
Caritas on hunger
The Caritas food aid will be over six months (February – July 2009) in Matopo, Bulilima and Mangwe Makonde, Hurungwe, Muzarabani Gokwe North and South, Gweru, Harare, Hwange, Lupane, Masvingo, and Nyanga.
Caritas will provide children in early childhood learning centres and primary schools (both Catholic and non-Catholic) with a daily meal. As well as extra food to health centres, orphanages and old age homes (both Catholic and non-Catholic).
Caritas on Cholera
We’ll give chlorine tablets (Aqua-tabs) to all the homes that we’re providing food aid to for six months, we’ll repair water points in the areas we work, and build latrines. We’ll also provide education so people can avoid passing Cholera on.
Caritas on health
Essential drug packages will be provided to many of the hospitals and clinics. The essential drugs will include those for common illnesses and infections. Given the current Cholera outbreak, chlorine tablets and oral rehydration solution will be given to clinics to prevent and treat Cholera.
Altogether 47 health centres have been identified in 7 areas to reach out with health programme activities. Over 5,000 people will be specifically assisted with essential drugs through these health centres
Other Caritas members
The Caritas Appeal will work alongside other humanitarian activities in Zimbabwe such as Consortium for Southern Africa Food Emergency (C-SAFE).
C-SAFE is the second biggest food supply chain where one of our Caritas members from the USA, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) constitutes 40% of food delivery in the country.
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