I. Summary

Zimbabwe is in a humanitarian crisis that is the result of a political crisis. A cholera epidemic has-as of January 12, 2009-left over 39,000 people infected and at least 2,000 dead, with the disease spreading to neighboring countries. This marks both the collapse of Zimbabwe's healthcare system and the calculated disregard for the welfare of Zimbabweans by the ruling party, the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). The country is experiencing the sharpest rise in infant mortality in its history, and maternal mortality rates have

1. INTRODUCTION

La politique humanitaire de l'Union européenne est une expression de ses principes fondateurs - la solidarité, la tolérance et le respect de la dignité humaine. L'aide humanitaire, sans être un instrument de crise, est un des piliers de l'action communautaire en faveur des pays affectés par des catastrophes naturelles ou les catastrophes causées par l'homme, ainsi que par les urgences complexes liées aux conflits(1). Au regard de ses activités dans les zones de crises et au travers de sa contribution active à la promotion du respect et de l'adhésion au Droit international

Zimbabwe: Cholera Dynamics in Space & Time
 
The Department of State's Humanitarian Information Unit has conducted an analysis of the dynamics of the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe.  The results of the HIU analysis supports the conclusion that the spread of cholera in Zimbabwe has not been along flood plains, watersheds, or river tributaries, but has been almost entirely focused on discrete urban concentrations, facilitated primarily by a breakdown in the sanitation and hygiene infrastructure.  The extent of reported cases of cholera in Zimbabwe expanded rapidly

Please see attached table

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

Note: The last fact sheet was dated December 19, 2008.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

Since the outbreak began in August 2008, cholera has spread to all of Zimbabwe's 10 provinces and 53 of Zimbabwe's 62 districts. On December 26, the U.N. World Health Organization (WHO) reported cholera cases in Matabeleland North Province, previously the only province without any reported cases. To date, the highest caseloads have

EAST AFRICA: October- December rains began on time but ended early in south- central Somalia, northeastern and southeastern Kenya, and in parts of southeastern Ethiopia, negatively affecting crop prospects and pasture in these areas. In south- central Soma lia, increased civil insecurity and rampant sea piracy also continue to exacerbate existing food insecurity through displacement, dis ruption of both commercial and humanitarian food imports, and restrictions on food access among already impoverished popula tions. Persistent civil insecurity and the associated

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 2008, Zimbabwe's economy suffered a serious decline leading to a rise in social vulnerability. During the protracted election period from March through August 2008, election violence and government restrictions halted most humanitarian field activities. Half a year of critical humanitarian service delivery in support of food security, clean water, health, and education services was lost. A third consecutive failed agricultural season in 2008 has also contributed to further deterioration of livelihoods for already vulnerable groups, and

This price watch bulletin covers the quarterly period from September to November 2008. The objective of the bulletin is to provide early warning information on price changes of staple food commodities and their likely impact on the cost of the food basket. Price changes are determined for each country on a quarterly basis.

Highlights:

- Prices still remain significantly higher compared to last year and long term averages, especially in Eastern and Southern Africa, Asia and Middle East. Overall, the impact on the cost of the food basket remains relatively high.