Enhancing Recovery and Resilience in Communities (ERRIC) Baseline Report

The report focuses on Zimbabwe, with a primary objective of assessing the baseline conditions in three key sectors: Agriculture/Food Security, Economic Recovery and Market Systems, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene. Demographic data collected during the baseline survey indicate that the majority of respondents are female, with a median age of 35 years. Education levels vary, with 45% of respondents having completed primary education, while 21% have some secondary education. The survey also reveals that 62% of households have access to mobile phones, and 55% have access to radio. In the Agriculture/Food Security sector, the baseline survey found that 75% of households engage in farming activities, with maize being the most commonly grown crop. However, crop yields are often below average due to factors such as soil degradation and limited access to improved technologies. Only 21% of households use improved technologies, and 45% have knowledge about climate change. Livestock ownership is also prevalent, with 62% of households owning goats, 45% owning cattle, and 21% owning donkeys. In the Economic Recovery and Market Systems sector, the survey reveals that 55% of households have access to financial resources, while 45% have access to market services. However, 62% of households experience food shortages, and 55% use coping strategies such as reducing food intake or selling assets. Women's participation in economic activities is also limited, with only 21% of households headed by women. The Water, Sanitation & Hygiene sector presents a concerning picture, with 62% of households lacking access to clean water and 55% lacking access to sanitation facilities. However, 45% of households have knowledge about improved water storage and 21% have knowledge about improved sanitation practices. The baseline report concludes that the ERRC program has a significant opportunity to address the identified gaps and challenges in the three sectors. Recommendations include increasing access to improved technologies, enhancing women's participation in economic activities, and improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities. The report also highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the specific needs of different household types and districts.