What is CARE International doing to improve food, water and nutrition security?
Food and nutrition insecurity results in vicious cycle of malnutrition, impaired development, reduced productivity and poverty, ensuing in loss of dignity. Our aim is that over 2 million people in Zimbabwe will better exercise their right to adequate food, water and nutrition.
Our work supports communities to produce more healthy food, have better access to water and sanitation, and improve their nutrition. This includes women small-scale food producers, women and girls living in water scarcity or water stressed areas, as well as internally displaced people. CARE International draws on decades of work protecting and enhancing food, water, and nutrition security for the most vulnerable.
In cooperation with partners, CIZ has developed a coherent and diverse portfolio of WASH activities in Zimbabwe particularly in Masvingo (Chivi, Mwenezi and Chiredzi district as well as Manicaland and Mashonaland West provinces. In 2021 we provided 71,466 direct beneficiaries with water related interventions and water technologies such as solarized boreholes to improve sustainable access to safe water and sanitation as well as improve hygiene practices in the communities.
Our work in Zimbabwe around food and nutrition also aims to strengthen access to safe, sufficient and nutritious food for resilience of communities thereby improving food, nutrition and income security. This has been achieved through integration of diversified crop and livestock production, improved processing and preservation, improved consumption practices, coupled with increased income generating activities. CARE works in conjunction with government supporting SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Since 1992, CARE’s support has been key in helping communities recover and build resilience equipping them with skills to sustain their livelihoods in times of shocks and stresses in Zimbabwe. In FY2021, CIZ supported over 2 million individuals through various programs such as distribution of cash and vouchers, climate smart agriculture, market-based approaches and asset building to the vulnerable households so that they are food secure during the dry season. Other programs focused on building resilience and enhancing the transformative capacities of communities so they can better cope with climatic shocks and stresses.
The establishment of Income Generating Projects, community nutrition gardens and irrigation schemes have also been helping to generate sustainable livelihoods to improve food security and nutrition and increased income thus helping communities to achieve positive health, nutrition and education outcomes, particularly for the girl child.