In 2009, there was reason for measured optimism in Zimbabwe. Although a cholera outbreak continued, the establishment of a power-sharing government brought political stability and economic growth (4.7 percent) for the first time since 1996. As a result, the civil service returned to work and schools and clinics reopened. The harvest was also better than expected and the number of people in need of food aid decreased from five million to two million.
Concern's work in Zimbabwe
This period of relative stability allowed Concern to continue to expand its work, targeting the most vulnerable in the areas of livelihoods and food security, HIV and AIDS, and emergency response.
- LIVELIHOODS—Working with over 60,000 households to reduce dependence on food aid
- HIV and AIDS—Educating people to break the silence around HIV and AIDS
- EMERGENCY—Responding to a cholera epidemic and food shortages
Zimbabwe at a Glance
Area: 390,757 sq km
Population: 12.4 m
GDP per capita: n/a
Infant mortality (per thousand births): 32
Life expectancy: 43.4
Living with HIV and AIDS: 1,300,000
Literacy rate: 91.2%
Access to safe water: 81%
Human development rank: n/a
Global hunger rank/index*: 58 / 21