Officially launching the mid-year review (MYR) of the 2011 CAP today, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) for Zimbabwe, Mr. Alain Noudéhou appealed for an additional $73 million above the initial $415 million requested when the 2011 appeal was launched in December 2010.
“We are well aware that globally, we are competing for resources with dire humanitarian situations like the drought in the Horn of Africa and the crisis in middle east/north Africa. Nevertheless, the resources indicated earlier are still very much needed in Zimbabwe. We therefore appeal for the continuous support of the donor community to address these needs that are clearly articulated in the Zimbabwe CAP 2011,” Mr. Noudéhou said.
Key priorities to be addressed by the revised 2011 CAP include improving levels of food security; addressing the needs of asylum seekers, migrants and other vulnerable groups that need protection; prevention of and rapid response to disease outbreaks; and response to natural disasters.
Food security remains a pressing issue following a protracted dry spell which affected six of the country’s 10 provinces from February to March 2011. Partners are awaiting the outcome of the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) rural and urban livelihoods assessment reports.
An announcement by the Government of South Africa that deportations of Zimbabweans who have not regularized their stay in that country will resume on 1 August 2011, coupled with the decision not to accept asylum applications from third country nationals who transit through Zimbabwe unless they have identity documents, are expected to result in an influx of people needing assistance.
The cholera outbreak that started in September 2010 and spilled into 2011 continues to pose a challenge and although it is confined to 10 districts in four provinces of Manicaland, Mashonaland East and West as well as Masvingo, the high case fatality rate of 4% is a major concern.
Over the past few years, the humanitarian response, through the CAP, has contributed to saving lives by providing food to vulnerable populations and supporting vital social services including health and education. Currently the 2011 CAP is 30% funded at $142 million.
Additional funding is much needed to consolidate the progress made between the latter part of 2010 and now and for meeting urgent needs and building resiliency in Zimbabwe. All activities of the CAP will be undertaken while ensuring humanitarian and Government priorities remain complementary.
In parallel, efforts should be made to address the root causes of resurging humanitarian needs through restoration of basic infrastructure and livelihood programmes. The CAP is the main tool for humanitarian and recovery coordination, strategic planning, programming and fundraising.
The program-based approach to the CAP that has been adopted in 2011 has contributed significantly to developing a more strategic approach to the provision of humanitarian assistance and recovery while fostering closer cooperation between Government, donors, aid agencies, the Red Cross Movement and non-governmental organisations (NGO). A total 23 appealing agencies are involved in the current CAP.
Post published in: Politics