Key Points

- Hailstorms cause death, injuries and damage in Mashonaland Central province.

- Disease outbreaks stagnate.

- Highlights from ASG/DERC Ms. Catherine Bragg's mission to Zimbabwe.

- CAP 2010 launched with lower funding requirements.

I. Situation Overview

As the curtain closes on 2009, the outlook for Zimbabwe's humanitarian situation is less gloomy than last year. Humanitarian needs have altered sharply as reflected in the 2010 consolidated appeal (CAP), with a requirement of US$378 million, nearly half the US$719 million required in 2009.

Abstract (provisional)

Background

Little is known about the process of knowledge translation in low- and middle-income countries. We studied policymaking processes in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe to understand the factors affecting the use of research evidence in national policy development, with a particular focus on the findings from randomized control trials (RCTs). We examined two cases: the use of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) in the treatment of eclampsia in pregnancy (a clinical case); and the use of insecticide treated bed nets and indoor residual household spraying

Harare_(dpa) _ Twenty-two people, mainly children under five years, have died of measles in Zimbabwe in the past three weeks, state media reported Tuesday.

The Herald daily, which is close to President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, said the 22 had missed out on being vaccinated when the health department undertook a nationwide mass immunization programme earlier in the year.

All 22 dead were from the Makoni area, about 200 kilometres east of Harare, where a further 90 people have also been confirmed infected by the highly contagious respiratory virus.

HARARE, Dec 23, 2009 (AFP) - Zimbabwe needs 45 billion dollars to return its economy to peak levels seen more than a decade ago, Finance Minister Tendai Biti said Wednesday.

But he warned that doubts over the future of the strained unity government were hampering the still fragile economic recovery.

"About 45 billion dollars is required to get the country back to its peak level of 1996-97," Biti told reporters at the launch of a three-year economic blueprint.

Zimbabwe's economy has contracted every year since 1997, but is expected to grow 4.7 percent this year, after the

2009 marked a year of new opportunities for UMCOR to open doors with new offices, new resources, new opportunities for disaster trainings, and a new birthing kit added to UMCOR's relief supplies. Through grant awards, partnerships, and your gifts, UMCOR expands it operations and network of partners to reach underserved communities. 2009 also brought new resources for United Methodist congregations, with new tools to strengthen and equip congregations in their health ministries.

In this special UMCOR Hotline, we highlight

HARARE, Dec 21, 2009 (AFP) - Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and Premier Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday agreed on a slate of key appointments of officials to oversee reforms in media, elections and human rights, a spokesman said.

Mugabe and Tsvangirai will meet again on Wednesday in a bid to resolve their year-long feud over the appointment of the central bank governor and attorney general, the prime minister's spokesman said.

"The principals (Mugabe and Tsvangirai) met this afternoon and agreed on the names of the people who would serve

THE EUROPEANCOMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No. 1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid, and in particular Articles 2 and 15(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Commission Decision C/2009/6271, adopted on 5 August 2009, provides for the funding of humanitarian aid actions in Zimbabwe from the general budget of the European Union for a total amount of EUR 9,000,000 from budget article 23 02 02 starting from 1 July 2009, with a duration of 18 months.

(2) There is need for continuing and

by Own Correspondent

HARARE - Zimbabwe's monthly inflation rate for November has declined to -0.1 percent as result of reduced food prices in the country, the government's Central Statistical Office (CSO) said on Friday.

"The month-on-month inflation rate in November 2009 was -0.1 percent shedding 0.9 percentage points on the October rate of 0.8 percent," said the CSO.

"This means that the prices as measured by the all items Consumer Price Index decreased by an average of -0.1 percent from October 2009 to November 2009."

According to the CSO, The month-on-month

It's raining in Zimbabwe but no one is complaining.

It's badly needed, evidenced by the dry grass which is steadily turning from brown to green as the soil is refreshed.

Farmers are now busily getting their seeds in the soil in the hope of maximising the crops that'll keep them and their families alive.

Tearfund is funding local partners to help such work. The challenge of shortages in seeds, fertiliser, cattle for ploughing and tools, mean they are having to teach new skills in still very difficult circumstances.

One partner, River of Life, is training