Famine Early Warning Systems Network

Summary

In November 2009, the ZimVAC conducted a livelihood rezoning exercise, which was followed by the HEA baseline assessments in all the 25 livelihood zones in Zimbabwe which are discussed in this report. These activities form the first stage in the establishment of a livelihood information and monitoring system within the ZimVAC that is designed to generate a deeper understanding of rural livelihoods, food access issues and the ability of households from different wealth groups to cope with shocks and vulnerability. This report summarizes the key descriptive information captured in the ZimVAC HEA livelihood baseline studies for each livelihood zone and wealth group. It provides a basic understanding of rural livelihood patterns in Zimbabwe. This baseline information is employed as an analytical modelling tool by the ZimVAC for monitoring household food and livelihood security; it will also be used to generate analysis for understanding the impact of different programming and policy on vulnerability and food and livelihood security. The livelihood-based approach to food security analysis adopted by the ZimVAC aims to provide relevant information and analysis on food access and livelihoods to different Government Ministries, as well as international organizations and civil society to inform early warning, rural development strategies, poverty reduction, safety nets programming, monitoring and evaluation of food security and livelihoods programmes and food security policy formulation. This report is organized into three main sections: a brief discussion of key concepts and methodology, a section on the field data collection and analysis, followed by a series of baseline profiles for each of the 25 livelihood zones.