Zimbabwe

Responding to emergencies since 2002

GOAL has 20 years’ experience in Zimbabwe. This means we can react to emergency situations quickly and effectively. For example, in 2019, GOAL responded rapidly to the catastrophic Cyclone Idai. GOAL acted immediately, providing support to the Civil Protection Unit which was formed in response to the cyclone. GOAL reached over 80,000 people with shelter, essential non-food items and food support.

In 2020 and 2021, GOAL used national radio stations to provide Covid-19 health and awareness information to over 4.5 million people across the country. Using mobile road units, GOAL has also reached more than 610,000 people with key Covid-19 messaging.

GOAL continues to support communities affected by Cyclone Idai and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and is responding to a worsening food security situation in three districts through transfers of food, cash and livelihood support.

Promoting long-term health and wellbeing

GOAL has worked to address WASH services and infrastructure in Zimbabwe since 2010. This includes the construction of latrines, drilling/reconstruction of boreholes and other projects that improve water access for domestic, livestock and irrigation purposes. This is complemented by disease prevention work, including Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programmes, awareness raising and best practice training for individual households, schools and health centres.

In addition to screening children for malnutrition, GOAL is also proactively working to prevent malnutrition in Zimbabwe. We use GOAL’s Nutrition Impact Positive Practice (NIPP) approach, a community-led, social behaviour change model, to address key risk factors and promote positive behaviour change.

Combatting malnutrition and food insecurity 

Malnutrition and food insecurity is a serious concern in Zimbabwe. Closely linked to GOAL’s work in Resilient Health and livelihoods, our team works with vulnerable communities to address the root causes of malnutrition, increase access to nutritional food sources and build household capacity to sustainably support themselves. We use GOAL’s innovative Nutrition Impact Positive Practice (NIPP) Approach to address high levels of malnutrition and its related complications. This community-led, social behaviour change approach helps to sustainably treat and prevent malnutrition and stunting by addressing its underlying behavioural causes.

We also work to localise agricultural solutions by training farmers in best agricultural practices and climate-smart agricultural techniques to aid agricultural development.

From food security to sustainable livelihoods

GOAL works closely with local communities to address crop and livestock value chain blockages and take advantage of new climate-smart technology. Designed to increase agricultural quality and outputs, GOAL also helps new business owners (especially women and young people) to build key skills in business, financial management and governance. We then connect entrepreneurs to private sector organisations that can help raise earning potential. Village Savings & Loan Associations (VSLAs) provide a robust forum for saving, growth and expansion.

GOAL is also proud to facilitate livelihoods activity for displaced people at the Tongogara Refugee Camp - where we supported nearly 1,200 farmers with interventions including piggery, poultry, rabbitry, community gardens and sorghum production.