FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS

FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS

The Food Security and Livelihoods thematic area is vital in ensuring that individuals, households and communities can access sufficient, safe and nutritious food while maintaining sustainable and resilient livelihoods. HOCIC has collaborated with various funding partners to implement diverse interventions, from direct food aid to sustainable livelihoods initiatives, aimed at addressing these critical needs.

One of HOCIC’s noteworthy efforts was the World Food Programme (WFP)-funded Food Assistance for Asset (FFA) programme, implemented in Umguza and Matobo Districts from 2012 to 2018. This programme aimed to rehabilitate and create essential assets to promote food security in drought-prone areas. In its first year, six dams, two dip tanks and a nutrition garden were established in Umguza District and 400 farmers received training in conservation farming techniques. This initiative significantly impacted over 5,000 food-insecure households.

By 2013, the Productive Asset Creation (PAC) programme expanded its reach in Umguza, targeting creation of 15 new assets, including a dam, seven nutrition gardens and two dip tanks, alongside rehabilitating five existing dams. The establishment of 30 conservation farming demo plots across six wards encouraged sustainable practices, directly benefiting 2,457 individuals—1,116 males and 1,341 females—and supporting over 12,000 food-insecure households. In Matobo District, HOCIC continued its impactful work in 2017 by constructing a new dip tank, rehabilitating two weir dams and establishing four nutrition gardens, further solidifying its commitment to enhancing food security in the region.

From 2013 to 2022, the WFP-funded the Seasonal Assistance Programme (STA) and the Lean Season Assistance Program (LSA) which entailed the provision of in kind/cash support and successfully reached approximately 350,000 individuals across multiple districts, including Umguza, Matobo, Gokwe South, Lupane and Bulilima. The organisation also rolled out Complimentary livelihood activities in all the LSA programs, which were about supporting the communities to achieve a coherent and robust safety net system that addresses food insecurity along-side other vulnerabilities, through long-term, sustainable solutions.

The Urban Food Assistance and Livelihoods programme funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints assisted 1 450 households in 4 wards of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province from October 2019 to September 2020. The programme scaled with a further 1 500 households in Reigate district in May 2020. The programme provided in kind support in the form of Maize Meal, Vegetable Oil and Pulses.

HOCIC also implemented the Management of Acute Malnutrition (MAM) Programme in 2017 in Umguza, Gwanda and Matobo funded by WFP. This followed the implementation of the Integrated Management of Paediatric ART Care and Treatment (IMPACT) Programme from 2014 to 2016, funded by World Education Inc in Bulilima, Umguza and Gwanda. The program came about as a finding by the ZimVac report that moderate acute malnutrition levels in these districts were above the global acute malnutrition rate, hence the necessity of the feeding of the under-fives in these districts with super cereal plus. The program was implemented in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the World Food Program. A total of 1549 children aged 6 to 59months were identified and fed over 6 months in the program and 9,924 MT of super cereal was distributed towards the rehabilitation of these children.

Ongoing/Current Food Security and Livelihoods Programs

In a collaborative effort and support from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Oxfam, the United Nations WFP, the United States Embassy, HOCIC is actively implementing sustainable agricultural initiatives: (Food Security and Livelihoods Programme, Special Self Help Programme and Climate Adaptation for Rural Livelihoods in Zimbabwe) in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Umguza District, Umzingwane District, Matobo District and Bulilima District. These programmes focus on horticulture, fungiculture, aquaculture and small livestock production (poultry, rabbits and goats), directly benefiting 15,000 individuals. These Programmes have also been drilling boreholes and equipping them with solar to improve access to clean water in both rural and urban areas ensuring that households have access to clean and safe water for domestic use.

Through these comprehensive programmes, HOCIC is making significant strides in enhancing food security and improving livelihoods, fostering resilience within vulnerable communities across Zimbabwe. HOCIC uses the Community Based Targeting Approach in the identification of the most vulnerable households for eligibility into WFP supported programs. Stakeholder involvement Is key in ensuring project success. HOCIC has an excellent working relationship with stakeholders. The stakeholders included; Agritex; Department of Social Development; the Rural District Councils; the Zimbabwe Republic Police; Ministry of Health and Child Care, Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Ministry of Youth. All plans and reports are shared with stakeholders on a regular basis in order to ensure effective information sharing and stakeholder support.

PROJECTS UNDER FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS