Community assessment of food security and the social situation in Zimbabwe: April 2005

The Community Monitoring Programme provides community based information to inform programmes aimed at socio-economic development and food security in Zimbabwe. This situation assessment is the twentieth round of civil society and community based monitoring. Results include:

• sentinel sites in almost all provinces reported a deteriorating food supply situation, with widespread report of crop failure due to poor rains in the 2004/2005 season
• deteriorating supplies from 82% districts compares with 29% of districts reporting this in April 2004. Sites report that shortfalls in food supplies arise primarily due to unavailability in 2005 of the early harvest yields that usually contribute to improved food availability from March onwards
• 87% of households were reported to have food stocks of a month or less, higher than levels reported in April 2004 (68%) but approximately the same as reported in March 2004 (84%)
• GMB (Grain Marketing Board) deliveries were reported in sites in 49% of the districts in April 2005, over double that reported in September 2004 (23%) and in April 2004 (21%). Price increases of GMB grains are reported to pose a cost barrier for the poorest households
• relief activities were reported in twelve districts (27% of districts), including the government cash for work programme and some NGO feeding of school children, pregnant women and people living with AIDS. In April 2004 29% districts reported the Government cash for work programme and 62% NGO and UN relief activities
• prices of indicator goods in a basket of food, hygiene products, health and medical care services and items and essential services were found to differ little between urban and rural areas, except for accommodation rentals. Reported prices for these health basket goods rose by between 44% and 79%, with bath soap and rentals showing highest increases.