THE EFFECT OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS ON FOOD & NUTRITION IN ZIMBABWE

Transcription

1 THE EFFECT OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS ON FOOD & NUTRITION IN ZIMBABWE T. Masuku, T. Mabugu, C Chinhengo University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences Harare, Zimbabwe HEPNET Meeting Nov. 2009

2 Outline Introduction What is? Why it is? What will be? Conclusion

3 Introduction The Global Economic Crisis (GEC) came at a time when Zimbabwe was already experiencing an economic and political crisis that largely resulted in: General deterioration across multiple sectors. Rampant inflation, Unemployment, Food shortages and drought, Difficult to accurately assess the extent of the impact of the global economic crisis in Zimbabwe:- Country s financial systems were not integrated with the global financial systems. Timing - diagnosing the causes of its own economic crisis and trying to build consensus on key policies and the way forward.

4 Introduction cntd... Pillars of the Economy Agricultur e Mining Tourism Remittances (Diaspora) Aid and Financing

5 Introduction cntd... Like most other developing nations, the impact of the GEC was slow to be felt in Zimbabwe and was mainly felt through the growth and trade effects on the pillars of the economy. In the health sector the greatest impact was felt on employment and the availability of, and quality health care services including nutrition With Zimbabwe having seen a near collapse of all social systems including health delivery, food security and nutrition, the GEC compounded an existing crisis

6 Food Security and Nutrition Situation in Zimbabwe What Was? Great systems with incremental improvements Once regarded as the region s breadbasket What is? Threatened with extinction

7 Food Security and Nutrition Situation in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe has become the world's third largest food aid operation after Afghanistan (8.82 mil) and Ethiopia 8.67 mil ( (WFP). The GoZ declared 2007 a year of drought. Acute malnutrition was above emergency thresholds (6.5%), with malnutrition rates having increased since 2006 in some areas. (ZimVAC) Nutrition trend analysis in Zimbabwe showed increasing levels of chronic malnutrition and national levels of stunting of 29% (ZDHS 2005/6) 75% (nearly 7 million) of the resident population required emergency food aid in February and March 2009 (UN-WFP)

8 Food Security and Nutrition Situation in Zimbabwe This large number of emergency food aid beneficiaries led to a halving of cereal rations per person distributed by WFP in i.e. 12kg of cereal- 5kg Cereal deficits are highest in the southern and western parts of the country especially in the rural areas where: Household stocks are almost always depleted for most people There is high level of dependence on rain-fed agriculture At household level 33% of urban households are food insecure with households commonly reporting cutting back on food consumption, and reducing number of meals as a coping strategy (ZimVAC 2009) Higher rates of food insecurity are more pronounced in rural areas, pockets of severe urban poverty also exist

9 Food Security and Nutrition Situation in Zimbabwe Insufficient agricultural inputs and import restrictions, as well as widespread food insecurity, are further exacerbated by unpredictable weather patterns. Droughts in 2007 and unusually early and heavy rains in January 2008 caused localized flooding affecting many and increasing vulnerability and food insecurity While Food insecurity and malnutrition is a countrywide crisis vulnerable groups exist within the communities: Children (notably under 5 years old) Pregnant women & nursing mothers TB Patients & PLWHA Disabled/elderly & those living in food insecure areas.

10 Why is it what it is? Factors Affecting Food Security and Nutrition Domestic Factors Socio-political Land reform - slow recovery Poor inter-agency coordination Economic decline Brain drain Lack of reliable data Global Economic Crisis Trade and Growth Aid and Financing (ODA, FDI, Donors)

11 Global Economi c Crisis Trad e Aid Impact of GEC was slow but was mainly felt through growth and trade. Growth Agriculture and Mining Operations scaled down or closure Tourism Decline in tourists and income Remittances Slowed down Reduction in amounts Aid and Financing Decline in Official Development Aid (ODA). Reduced flow in Foreign Direct Investments. Dwindling donor support for development projects.

12 Financing :Food Security &Nutrition Financing for food security and nutrition are currently largely dependent on donor support Available donor support for food security goes to: Agricultural inputs and technical assistance for sustainable production, income generation activities, livestock vaccinations and surveillance to protect livestock assets WATSAN for productive use in drought-affected communities Community therapeutic feeding for children under 5 years and supplementary wet feeding in drought striken areas

13 Financing: Food Security & Nutrition Financing of food security is affected by: Consecutive years of under funding in health, agriculture and nutrition sectors Dwindling donor support Macroeconomic challenges 8th consecutive year of negative GDP Hyperinflation: >230million % in June 2008 Socio- political challenges Global Economic Crisis >94% unemployment: tax base, disposable income dwindled

14 What is to be? While the Zimbabwe food security and nutrition crisis is particularly severe, the country has a potential for full recovery through: Providing a supportive framework to deliver food security, nutrition and health Investment and commitment: Revitalization of Agricultural sector Refurbishing of agric infrastructure Return of human resources for health Decision that food security, nutrition & health of Zimbabweans matters

15 Thank-you