Gokwe South District

Response Strategy
Midlands

Introduction
Gokwe South District lies north-west of Midlands Province in Zimbabwe and it is composed of 33
Wards, with a total population of 350341 (181126 females and 169215 males). It is sub divided

Documentation of the
into communal, resettlement and small scale commercial farming areas with the majority of the
populace residing in the communal areas. It is bordered in the north by Gokwe north district, in the
Traditional Leaders
east by Kwekwe district, in the south by Nkayi and Lupane districts and in the west by Binga district.

Addressing Food and N

It is situated at about, 370km to the South-west of Harare. The Shangwe and Tonga are the local
inhabitants but the majority of people come from all over Zimbabwe.

Insecurity in Zimba
The district has two farming sectors which are Communal area (CA) and Small scale commercial
farming area (SSCFA), 40% of the district falls under Agro-ecological region IV and 60% is in region
III. It has an estimated population of 330 036. Ecological regions 3 and 4 characterized by low and
erratic rainfall patterns predominantly cover the district. The climatic conditions are suitable for
drought resistant crops such as cotton, which is the main economic activity in the area; maize is
grown at a small scale during the rainy season. There is great potential of horticulture in some wards.
Livelihoods are basically centered on growing cotton, cereal and mixed farming; many households
depend on casual labour and trading small wares as a basic means of survival. Access to markets
for trading is challenged by poor infrastructure.
Gokwe south district just like any other district in Zimbabwe experienced some challenges due to
COVID-19 lockdown and restriction measures.

Some of the negative impacts experienced include:

Markets: - Livelihoods of most families were greatly affected especially of fruits and vegetable
farmers and those who relied on small livestock keeping such as broilers. During the first phase of
the lockdown markets places were closed; while some farmers especially in the peri-urban areas of
Gokwe usually sold their produces outside in other towns and cities e.g. Kwekwe they could no longer
deliver due to intercity travel restrictions. In addition, some of the small livestock keepers relied on
selling their chickens to cafeterias hence with closure they could no longer supply hence resulting in
loss of distribution channels. Farmers ended up incurring losses and some, opting for barter trade
of maize their maize grain reserve. Two market centres were identified and designated during the
COVID-19 lockdown and they were opening twice a week; however, selling direct to consumers at a
low market price and to a greater extent incurring loss.
In addition, the lockdown coincided with the season during which most farmers were supposed to
deliver their grain at the GMB; hence due to travelling restrictions most farmers were now selling to
middle men at a lower price. About 65% percent grain received by GMB in the 2019-2020 season
was through middle men hence this could affect most farmers next season in terms of funds to
procure inputs.
Household food and nutrition security, livelihoods: - Informal traders in urban wards, were mostly
affected. This is because they rely of their daily sales to sustain basic necessities which include
food and any other health amenities. Assistance was finally availed after the lock down measures
had been relaxed. However, some cash transfer beneficiaries were failing to access their funds at
the local banks due to travelling restrictions.
Food and Nutrition Security in the Context of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe
1
Child protection: - Cases of child abuse increased as well as early marriages, for example at
Machakata secondary school, in a class with 24 girls,8 of them got married during the lock down.
Another example was at Gwanika primary school, where in a class of grade 7 students at the opening
of schools eight girls did not return due to marriage. In Tongwe some young boys did not return to
school because they got engaged in artisanal mining in Munyati river, some would spend the money
with sex workers and alcohol hence risking their health.
Education: - Schools were closed and online and radio lessons were introduced. However, online
lessons came at a cost as thereby limiting such services to the elite who easily benefited from
the initiative as they have easy access to data and smartphones. These smart phones promoted
negative behaviors in some children and it was noted that they require close monitoring from parents
and guardians.
Health: - Outreach services were affected and there was poor access to health services by community
members due to COVID-19 restrictions. In addition, health workers were skeptical of contracting the
virus since there was shortage of PPE and hence they were afraid to provide services.
Interventions employed to address challenges brought about by the COVID 19
• Opening of different market sites for vegetable and fruits to prevent congestion of farmers.
• Construction of solar driers for drying perishables so as to minimize losses.
• Production of backyard nutrition gardens and backyard butcheries.
• Presidential inputs distribution.
• Food distribution and cash transfers (400rtgs per month) equivalent to 5USD at the October
Zimbabwe 2020 interbank exchange rate.
• Registration of intended beneficiaries for COVID-19 allowances.
• Formation of community groups: (Sensitisation of adolescent girl through sister-to-sister
networks on positive health and life behaviours. For boys, Behaviour Change Communication
groups with male champions or mentors, were utilized to support them.
• COVID-19 trainings to health workers.
• Dissemination of the behavior of the month to neighborhood women participating in the Care
Groups model in the context of COVID 19.
• Integrated case management training to VHWs Covering COVID 19 awareness and Malnutrition
screening and referrals, Malaria, EPI and Pneumonia.
• Health education to communities with confirmed COVID 19 cases to address issues of stigma.
• Strengthened on continuous offering of EPI services to communities at health facilities.
• VHWs and health facility staff mobilized caregivers per village for EPI services.
• Integrated outreach programme to increase EPI and active screening coverage.
• Health facility-based outreach.
• Vitamin A task sharing with VHWs.
• Nutrition and WASH training in the context of COVID 19 to VHWs and lead mothers.
• Integrated adolescents training Covering nutrition, Sexual and reproductive health, WASH and
COVID-19 awareness.
• Rehabilitation of boreholes in rural health centres (Tongwe, Sai, Mateta 2, Mkoka, Nyaje).
• Rehabilitation of 17 school water points.
• Training of community leadership on GBV and COVID-19.
• COVID-19 and GBV roadshows
• Road rehabilitation in Masororo road 17km, road formation in Charama (work in progress 5km
opened up)

Food and Nutrition Security in the Context of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe

2
 • Women development funded two groups for self-help projects i.e. Vukuzenzele bakery and
soap making, Tinevimbo poultry.
• Construction of Machakata warehouse with the help of UNDP for Mubvumbi garden group
and small livestock keeping.
• Training of school health teachers on COVID-19.
• Training of invigilators for June examinations.
• Mop up induction exercises to those who were note trained and distribution of PPE to
schools.
• Famer training on Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture –Training through Pfumvudza, Agro ecology
and Farmer Field Schools
• Distribution of tools of trade in support of the Care Groups.
• Distribution of Boschveld chickens in support of small livestock behavior adoption.
• EHT training on Water Quality Management.
• Distribution of seed packs under agroecology Pfumvudza concept.
• Distribution of food packs (Mealie meal 20kg, sugar 2kg, rice 4kg, sugar beans 2kg, soya
mince 3kg and cooking oil 4 liters).
• Partial subside - latrine construction (2 bags cement, reinforcement wire, gauze wire and
payment of builders).
• Supporting farmers who used all their funds during lock down (offering starter pack of seed
plus fertilizers)
• Urban feeding cash distribution through western union through cash disbursement. 12 USD
per beneficiary

Spillover effects of the COVID 19 Lockdown Period

• Malnutrition cases actually reduced compared to 2019 same period. This could be as a
result that most caregivers were spending most of their time at home due to movement
restrictions and thus improving caring practices
• Number of informal traders still low as they are now required to register and stick to
COVID-19 regulations. In addition, borders still closed where people relied on in terms of
stocks of non-food items to sell. Moreover, some used up all their capital during lockdown
hence lack of funds to revive their businesses.
• There has been an increase in social protection cases hence leading to social development
department being overwhelmed with addressing the cases
• There has been a great reduction in production line due to the COVID-19 restrictions

Lessons learnt
• Town by laws should be followed even before disasters. If people were following laws
especial informal traders, less people would have been affected through loss of livelihoods.
• Preparedness is key in anticipation for disasters.
• Communities became more health cautious as a result of the pandemic as seen through the
effort to create hand washing facilities in almost every rural household. Some community
even report suspected cases in their communities
• Communities respond to life threatening conditions and usually adhere to regulations due to
fear.

Food and Nutrition Security in the Context of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe

3
 Recommendations
• Information dissemination should be strengthened at all levels
• Disaster risk reduction trainings should be intensified at lower levels to capacitate committees
at ward level for decision making during disasters.
• Disaster fund /reserves should be in place at district level all the time
• Households should diversify enterprises incase such disasters affect them in future.

Supported by

FNC is housed at SIRDC: 1574 Alpes Road, Hatcliffe, Harare

Tel: +263-242-862586/ +263-242-862025. Website: www.fnc.org.zw. Email: [email protected].
Twitter: @FNCZimbabwe. Instagram: fnc_zim. Facebook: @FNCZimbabwe

Documentation of the Role

 Mt Darwin District
Response Strategy
Mashonaland Central

Introduction
Mt Darwin is one of the eight districts in Mashonaland Central province. It borders Shamva district to
the South, Mozambique to the North, Muzarabani to the West and Rushinga to the East. Population
Documentation of the
type in Mt Darwin includes communal, old resettlements, small scale farms, large scale, urban, A1

Traditional Leaders
and A2 farms. The greater part of the district is communal settlements. The district is further divided
into two parts; the upper Mt Darwin with natural region 2A, 2B, 3 and the lower Mt Darwin which

Addressing Food and N

is known as the Zambezi Valley basin and is in natural region 4 which is prone to erratic rainfall
patterns and drought.

Insecurity in Zimba
The district has not been spared from the effects of COVID-19. By April 2020, fruits and vegetables
were no longer available, shops closed, farmers unable to access markets. Livelihoods (informal)
were greatly affected as the majority of households relied on small scale businesses, these were
aggravated by travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID 19. In general household
income was greatly suppressed.

Interventions employed to address challenges brought about by the COVID-19

Lead Sector Actions/Interventions Impact (coverage, HH,
wards, beneficiaries
reached)
2nd Q 3rd Q October 2020
April-June 2020 July –September
2020
Agritex Cropping Farmer training on crop 38 516 HH 29532HH HH
healthy post-harvest
management and
marketing
Wheat farmer training 2 wards (5 farmers) 2 wards (5 farmers) 2 wards (5
farmers)

Pfumvudza Training 18 wards 40 wards (11560 40 wards

farming HH)
(3570 farming HH) (5160 farming
HH)
Pre-Season Farmer 45 320 HH 41380 HH 15041 HH
Training and COVID
awareness meetings
Agricultural shows 0 0 1 farming HH
Veterinary Services Livestock Dipping
services
Social Protection Food assistance 14370 HH 5995 HH 3500 HH

MOHCC Hand washing facilities 3198 6189 1056

(Tip-taps)
Feeding waiting 2 H/Facilities 2 H/Facilities 2 H/Facilities
mothers
Cooking 27 57 0
Demonstrations
IYCF Counselling 14982 16220 0

Food and Nutrition Security in the Context of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe

1
 Active Screening 40 wards - -
training (Mother Led
MOHCC MUAC)
IMAM training 22 H/Facilities - -
IYCF training - 22 H/Facilities -
CIYCF training - 40 Wards -
Road shows on Covid - - 20 B/Centres
19 awareness
Community dialogues - 14 wards -
on Covid 19 and
nutrition
Distributed IEC material 22 Health Facilities 40 wards -

COVID 19 Health and 1267 1368 398

Hygiene Education
sessions.
Number of people 33125 3794 2744
reached
Ministry of Environment Consolidated Garden 11 households (ward 11 households 11 households
Support (Communal 12) (ward 12) (ward 12)
nutrition garden with
Fruit trees)
Bee-keeping project 25 households (ward 25 households 25 households
Support (41 bee-hives) 21, 24, 38 and 40) (ward 21, 24, 38 and (ward 21, 24,
40) 38 and 40)
Women and Gender Mobile one stop centre 37 42 37
& Small and Medium to assist survivors of
Enterprises gender based violence
Awareness campaigns 52 48 0
on COVID 19 and
gender based violence
with women and girls
living with disabilities
Training on Baking 0 52 21
Food Preservation and 0 0 12
Processing training
with women in ISALs
Refresher training with 0 37 12
ISAL groups leadership
Entrepreneurship 0 6 7
training with two
groups funded under
the community
development fund
Funded 1 Poultry 0 0 7
project in ward 17
Local Govt Coordination of COVID 3 3 2
Awareness Meetings
RDC(incl. WASH Regulation of marketing
services, Markets) timeframes of the local
market
DDF( e.g. transport, Bridge construction 0 1 0
road network, ploughing
services) Borehole rehabilitation 4 4 2

Economic Planning and

markets
Partners: Facilitating Food For Wards 5 and 37 Wards 5 and 37 Wards 5 and
Asset (FFA) 37
World Vision

Food and Nutrition Security in the Context of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe

2
ENTERPRIZE Pfumvudza and Agro- 4633 farming HH 10535 farming HH 0 farming HH
Ecology training
Orange maize seed 0 0 5000 HH
distribution
Poultry smart Subsidies 44 HH 66 HH O HH
Market development 150 HH 0 0
Rural Finance Crisis 0 10 HH 0
modifier Distributions
WHH Sinking boreholes 4 10 2
Rehabilitation of 10 3 0
boreholes
Pump Minders Training 10 3 0
NAC Meetings with people 4 2 1
living with HIV in
support groups
Distribution of HIV/ 350 282 18
COVID 19 posters and
pamphlets
Training of sex work 20 3 0
pees Educators on HIV/
COVID 19
Assessment on 1
impact of COVID 19 in
vulnerable groups

Spillover effects of the COVID-19 lockdown period

• Market price distortions for instance skewed prices due to high demand and low supply.
• Gender based violence increased.
• Food insecurity escalated (Number of cases requiring food assistance increased compared
to same time last year)
• Teenage pregnancy increased.
• Early childhood marriage also increased as school going pupils eloped
• Theft cases increased as many people had limited livelihood options.

Lessons Learnt
• Multi-sectoral approach is vital in terms of emergency response coordination.
• Lack of entertainment at household and community levels resulted in to social conflicts.
• The Mother-Led MUAC approach is more effective in active screening of under fives as
evidenced by increased number of screened cases when the programme started.
• Virtual meetings and electronic marketing are vital as they discourage gathering of people
and minimizes resource usage.

Recommendations For Future DFNSC Emergency Preparedness

• There is need to have an emergency response plan in case of an emergency.
• It is recommended that the emergency response teams at district level have a Budget in
place in case of emergency.
• There is need for regular planning and review meetings to allow for reflective programming
and learning appreciating our strengths and weaknesses of the past.

Food and Nutrition Security in the Context of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe

3
 Supported by

FNC is housed at SIRDC: 1574 Alpes Road, Hatcliffe, Harare

Tel: +263-242-862586/ +263-242-862025. Website: www.fnc.org.zw. Email: [email protected].
Twitter: @FNCZimbabwe. Instagram: fnc_zim. Facebook: @FNCZimbabwe

Documentation of the Role