Food Security Update

Introduction:

This update details current Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Red Cross Society Food Security and Livelihoods programmes, the areas they are targeting, amounts involved, target population and partners funding the programmes. The Zimbabwe Red Cross as a leading humanitarian organisation will continue doing its best to help the vulnerable groups. We appreciate the continued support of our partners which has gone a long way in making a positive difference in our communities. Together we can make the world a better place.

British Red Cross Food Security Project  - Midlands & Mash West April 2011 – March 2012

Funding partner – British Red Cross Society USD 483,142

Districts – Mash West (Hurungwe – 2000HH & Zvimba – 5020HH)

Midlands (Gweru – 640HH & Shurugwi – 1340HH)

Total HH = 9000 translating to 45,000 beneficiaries/people

Trainings

• Nutrition Gardening,
• Conservation agriculture,
• treadle pump maintenance and use,
• Natural resource management and
• climate change awareness
• livestock management
• product marketing and value chain analysis

Inputs Assistance

• Agric starter packs for main agricultural season
• Vegetable seeds packs
• Treadle pumps
• Fruit trees
• Small livestock

Other Activities

• Installation of sand water abstraction site (4 sites @ 2 sites per province)
• Establishment of community gardens
• Construction of post harvest infrastructure

World Food Programme (WFP) – Mashonaland Central  (June – December 2011)

Funded by WFP with technical support from IFRC

13200 beneficiaries being reached with food aid assistance in Bindura district.

Target:Malnourished clients under ART treatment, pregnant and lactating women, malnourished children,  clients awaiting ART (Pre ART) and TB patients.

Pre-requisite to access food aid is malnourishment measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI) and Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)

OVCs are also being targeted in the district.

Food Basket – cereal 5kg, Pulses 1kg, vegetable oil 0.6kg

The malnourished clients are receiving 10kg Corn Soya Blend

Japanese Red Cross Phase II – January to September 2011

USD 1.4 mill

Four provinces

10000 HH translating to 50000 beneficiaries

Mash West – Kadoma district – 2000 households with USD 20 food vouchers  for four months

Mat South – Gwanda  - 1000 households with USD 20 food vouchers for four months

Mat South – Matobo – 1000 HH with livelihoods support

Manicaland – Chimanimani - 1000 households with USD 20 food vouchers for four months

• Buhera – 2000 HH with livelihoods support
• Mutare – 1000 HH with livelihoods support

Mash Central – 2000 HH with livelihoods support

Livelihoods support

Trainings in Conservation agric, nutrition gardening and nutrition promotion, post harvesting technology, market linkages

Establishment of community gardens supported with gardening tools and fencing material

Distribution of vegetable seeds as well as agric starter packs