Quarterly Program Performance Report: CARE Zimbabwe Takunda #72DFFP20CA00007 FY23Q1

The program started in October 2020 and continued the implementation of interventions during the reporting period. Takunda aims to achieve sustainable, equitable, and resilient food, nutrition, and income security. The RFSA takes place in the Buhera and Mutare Districts (in Manicaland Province) and the Chivi and Zviyo Districts (in Masvingo Province). Zimbabwe is the only country in the Southern African Development Community with an inflation rate above 50 percent, and it remains one of the highest globally. In November 2022, the run-away inflation rate increased to 255 percent, a fourfold increase from the 65 percent recorded in November 2021. This situation pushed the prices of basic commodities beyond the reach of many Zimbabweans, with most vulnerable households being severely affected. A recent labor survey (2022) indicated that the average monthly income of ZWL20,000 fell below the individual poverty line of ZWL21,454.60, indicating a challenge for most poor households in accessing basic food commodities, agricultural inputs, and fuel. The average rainfall received during the reporting period (Buhera 327mm, Chivi 167mm, Mutare 64mm, and Zviyo 264mm) compounded the situation, leading to moisture stress due to the dry spell experienced in mid-December. However, livestock condition remained good due to improved pastures and access to water. La Niña models predicted a 50 percent probability of receiving normal to above-normal rainfall between January and March 2023. Sufficient rains during this period may revive farmers' hopes for improved harvest. Poorer households in Zimbabwe, including those in Takunda's operational areas, are increasingly engaging in grueling labor and off-farm activities with the start of the agricultural season. Labor rates are very low due to limited liquidity to pay in cash or kind, and poorer households are increasing their reliance on bartering for food, selling household assets, livestock, and livestock products, and petty trade. Youth unemployment also remains high, and Takunda is addressing this through Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET). The period under review had no outbreaks of livestock diseases reported across all districts. However, Chivi district reported a dysentery outbreak, affecting 57 people, including 4 males and 18 females above five years, and 4 males and 1 female below five years. All Takunda operational districts observed increased political activities as the country is gearing up for national harmonized general elections at the end of the year. Takunda activities, including Resilience Design trainings and Supplementary Feeding food distributions, were briefly halted due to the charged political environment. In Chivi, some program activities gave way to political gatherings. While the operational environment remains calm across the four Takunda districts, conflict sensitivity is being exercised to avoid incidents that may affect planned activities. During the quarter under review, the program continued the implementation of interventions with agricultural season-sensitive activities prioritized. These included Farmer Field Business School (FFBS) trainings and monitoring, linkages with agricultural input suppliers, and early warning advisories through participatory scenario planning (PSP). Project participants continued to share messages (weather forecasts, health, hygiene, and gender) in the different established groups or platforms, such as Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), Care Groups, Men's fora, Disasters Management Committees (DMCs), and youth under TVET. Local Service Providers (LSPs) and Takunda staff facilitated project participants' engagement. The project facilitated the completion of community action plans in the four districts to inform development programming by other support or development organizations. Based on the priorities of Community Action Plans, Takunda supports interventions focused on water provision for both drinking and agricultural use through drilling and the rehabilitation of boreholes and construction.