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DFID Zimbabwe
6th Floor, Corner House, Samora Machel Avenue / Leopold Takawira Street, PO Box 1030, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel:+263 4 774719-28 | Fax:+ 263 4 775696
Email:
Map courtesy of the FCO
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Zimbabwe
The aim of the UK’s Department for International Development is to contribute effectively to an international response to tackle HIV/AIDS and provide direct humanitarian support to the poorest and most vulnerable in Zimbabwe.
The situation in Zimbabwe
Over 70% of the population live in poverty. High levels of vulnerability could continue for many years. Individuals and households are at breaking point and without continuing assistance; people will be driven to survive in ways that will increase long-term poverty.
Zimbabwe has one of the highest levels of HIV infection in the world. One in four adults are infected with HIV, with over 3,200 deaths each week related to AIDS; and there are more than 1.3 million orphans so far. The scale of the epidemic is such that virtually every family is affected in one way or another. Life expectancy at birth has fallen below 35 years having reached over 55 years in the past.
Food insecurity remains an issue for many Zimbabweans. There has been no independent assessment of the 2005 harvest in Zimbabwe. However results of a national vulnerability assessment are expected soon. There are already indications of a major shortfall in cereals and uncertainty regarding Government of Zimbabwe’s plans to import maize. Access to food by poor and vulnerable groups, including the young and chronically ill, is of particular concern.
DFID’s response in Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, DFID channels resources through the agencies of the United Nations and through civil society organisations.
No direct aid is going to the Government of Zimbabwe. DFID has contributed over £71million for humanitarian assistance and tackling the HIV/AIDS crisis since September 2001, making the UK one of the three largest donors to Zimbabwe. DFID is increasing its focus and spend on HIV and AIDS, including expanding support to orphans and other vulnerable children. DFID is working with other donors to assist UNAIDS and the Zimbabwe National AIDS council to scale up access to anti-retroviral therapy in Zimbabwe.
DFID is supporting protracted relief programmes, which should soon reach more than
1.5 million of the poorest and most vulnerable people. These relief programmes include targeted food inputs (especially to the chronically ill) agricultural support, such as seed and fertilisers, restocking of small livestock and rehabilitation of water points.
Further information
Last updated: 14 July 2005
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