Zimbabwe
CRS in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has among the highest poverty rates in Africa. Seventy-six percent of rural households live with less than $2.52 per person/day and nearly 23% are extremely poor with less than $1.07.(Source: USAID)
Download FY24 Highlights CRS provides food relief to elnino-affected households in Matabeleland South Province
Compounded by the high poverty levels, recurrent droughts, unfavorable economic environment and periodic violent political conflicts, the country is grappling with the devastating effects of HIV and AIDS. The HIV prevalence rate has declined from 20.1 percent in 2005 to 14.3 percent in 2013; this however is one of the highest in the world. The net effects of HIV and AIDS and poverty continue to place a heavy burden on orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and the families taking care of them.
Catholic Relief Services Zimbabwe has built strategic partnerships with more than 7 local organizations, most of whom are development arms of the local Catholic Church, bringing quality humanitarian, recovery and development programming to the country's urban and rural communities. We regularly collaborate with the government of Zimbabwe to ensure our projects' strategic direction fills the gaps in services faced by vulnerable populations, builds capacity of partner staff or community volunteers, and monitors and implements project activities.
CRS in Zimbabwe Q3 Newsletter - 2024
Dam rehabilitation in Zimbabwe: Community restores water source
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CRS in Zimbabwe Q2 Newsletter - 2024
Margaret A. Cargill Foundation partners With CRS to respond to Cholera
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Stats
People Served: 97,753
Population: 17,150,352
Size: 150,872 sq mi (390,757 sq km) home to vast savanna grasslans and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins
Our Partners
Become a PartnerCountry News and Stories
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July 29, 2024
Community Restores Water Source in Zimbabwe
A community comes together to rebuild a dam for improved irrigation.
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May 16, 2024
USAID partners with CRS in Zimbabwe to respond to El Niño-induced drought
Zwitile project will reach more than 13,000 people in need of food aid
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February 25, 2021
CRS Capacity Overview Disability Inclusion
People with disabilities account for 15 percent of the world’s population — over a billion people. Many face social, economic and cultural barriers that limit their access to full and effective participation in society.
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April 16, 2020
Helping Zimababwe’s Abused Women Heal
CRS offers programs that help victims of sexual violence find safety with time and support to restart disrupted lives.
CRS' History in Zimbabwe
At the invitation of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference, CRS has worked in Zimbabwe since 1989 with the Catholic Church, community-based organizations and government institutions.
Over our history in the country, we have worked to reduce food insecurity and build peace. We have provided orphans and vulnerable children education opportunities, income-generating activities and psychosocial support.
CRS is working to help communities develop and adopt disaster-risk reduction and mitigation strategies to increase the resilience of populations and local rural society.
CRS Zimbabwe’s health and nutrition initiatives aim to immediately serve the most vulnerable members of society and to better secure health for a community and its future. Our strategies include strengthening community systems, rapid response to health emergencies in local communities, and information, education and communication initiatives to help fight diseases within communities. CRS, through support from World Food Program, has provided nutritional support to an average 3,099 malnourished HIV and TB patients, pregnant and lactating mothers, and children under 5. CRS and partners have trained rural volunteer caregivers, providing skills that strengthen communities’ abilities in preventing the spread and mitigating the impact of HIV infection.
Clean water and sanitation are widely recognized as essential components of social and economic development. CRS acknowledges that sanitation is essential to community health and limiting the spread of infectious diseases. In Zimbabwe, breakdown of water and sewer systems have been major contributing factors for waterborne diseases. CRS WASH activities focus on restoring services in areas most affected by limited access to water and sanitation facilities. In support of the Government of Zimbabwe’s new strategy, Improving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Rural Areas of Zimbabwe: Strategic Concept and Programme Design June 2012-2016, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Zimbabwe worked through the Bulawayo City Council and three districts’ water and sanitation services committees to build the capacity of community and institutions of WASH management. Emphasis is on empowering communities, particularly women, by seeking active participation in management and decision-making. A total of 81,564 beneficiaries benefitted from the Joint Initiative and Rural WASH projects.
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2023 Operating Expenses
Recognition
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Catholic Relief Services eases suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.
We are the official overseas relief and development agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and a member of Caritas Internationalis.