UN, Zimbabwe launch $715M humanitarian response plan

HARARE, Zimbabwe

In an attempt to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 as well as the effects of climate change and economic challenges, the UN and Zimbabwe jointly launched a $715 million response plan on Thursday.

The 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan is targeting 5.6 million people with food assistance and support in the area of health, water-sanitation-hygiene, nutrition and protection.

“The Humanitarian Response Plan will play a key role in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting those most vulnerable in communities in Zimbabwe,” read a joint statement.

Last year, Zimbabwe experienced multiple climate and economic-related shocks impacting the lives of many in both rural and urban communities, and the worst was Cyclone IDAI.

In early 2019, Zimbabwe together with the UN launched a humanitarian appeal of $234 million which was revised in August to $331.5 million.

However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, Zimbabwe needs more resources, hence, an appeal of the $715 million has been made.

Approximately 60% of the total amount, or $422 million, has been planned for food security; $63 million for health; $61 million for water, sanitation and hygiene; $42 million for education; $21 million for protection; $18 million for nutrition; $10 million for shelter, and $950,000 for camp coordination and management, according to the statement.

As many as 42 African countries have so far reported a total of 3,667 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 86 deaths, with the latest country being Malawi which reported its first three confirmed cases on Thursday.

HARARE, Zimbabwe

In an attempt to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 as well as the effects of climate change and economic challenges, the UN and Zimbabwe jointly launched a $715 million response plan on Thursday.

The 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan is targeting 5.6 million people with food assistance and support in the area of health, water-sanitation-hygiene, nutrition and protection.

“The Humanitarian Response Plan will play a key role in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting those most vulnerable in communities in Zimbabwe,” read a joint statement.

Last year, Zimbabwe experienced multiple climate and economic-related shocks impacting the lives of many in both rural and urban communities, and the worst was Cyclone IDAI.

In early 2019, Zimbabwe together with the UN launched a humanitarian appeal of $234 million which was revised in August to $331.5 million.

However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, Zimbabwe needs more resources, hence, an appeal of the $715 million has been made.