Zimbabwe

2020 Country Profile

Joined: June 2011

Population: 14.86 million

Nutrition situation

Under five stunting (%) 23.5
Under five overweight (%) 2.5
Anaemia in women 15-49 years (%) 28.8
Under five wasting (%) 2.9
Low birth weight (%) 12.6
0 to 5-month-old exclusive breastfeeding (%) 41.9
Adolescent overweight (%) Male: 6 / Female: 21.7
Adult overweight (%) Male: 22.2 / Female: 52.8
Adult obesity (%) Male: 4.7 / Female: 25.3
Adult diabetes (%) Male: 6.5 / Female: 7.6

COVID-19 snapshot

Regular multi-stakeholder platform (MSP) meetings were disrupted initially but data collection and analysis resumed during the first quarter of 2020. SUN Networks have been actively involved with the nutrition cluster. Droughts, and restrictions due to the pandemic, have led to issues around food accessibility.

Institutional transformations 2019-2020

Total weighted
79.8%
2014
33%
2015
60%
2016
70%
2017
86%
2018
92%
2019
96%
2020
96%

Bringing people together into a shared space for action

The SUN Networks have expanded in membership and use of platforms such as the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZIMVAC) and the Food and Nutrition Security Committees, ensure ensure stakeholder participation in crucial engagements from national down to village levels. There was a youth-led ”Let’s Kick Out Stunting” campaign and 14 nutrition champions have been appointed. Members of parliament have been champions at raising nutrition on agendas.
2014
58%
2015
70%
2016
79%
2017
66%
2018
85%
2019
85%
2020
85%

Ensuring a coherent policy and legal framework

Several landscape analyses were conducted around food systems and the food environment, adolescence and around emerging nutrition issues. The Agriculture Recovery Plan and the Agriculture Policy Framework are two of the key achievements, especially on food systems. The commissioning of the development of a new Multisectoral Food and Nutrition Security Strategy (2021–2025) is one of the key developments. This process is being done in sync with the National Development Strategy.
2014
21%
2015
52%
2016
65%
2017
75%
2018
81%
2019
77%
2020
77%

Aligning actions around common results

The SUN Networks have used the Common Results Framework to mobilise resources, influence policy and design programmes and interventions; joint programmes have created greater integration among the United Nations Network (UNN), SUN Donor Network and Civil Society Alliance (ZCSOSUNA). The UNN strengthened its coordination through actions such as the Cohesion Series with a dedicated theme on Nutrition that identified pathways for greater collaboration. A matrix is used to track programmes, including responses to COVID-19.
2014
40%
2015
29%
2016
45%
2017
52%
2018
54%
2019
61%
2020
61%

Financial tracking and resource mobilisation

A matrix has been developed to track actions of MSP members, including nutrition investment in dollar terms. Lobbying with parliamentarians has influenced budget allocations for nutrition. Much of the resource mobilisation conducted by the UNN has been largely focused on rural areas, and there is a need to increase funding for urban areas. Financial tracking remains a challenge for the country.

2020-2021 Priorities


  • Training on budget analysis exercise.

  • Advocacy on N4G Commitments and for Food and Nutrition Security food and nutrition security to remain central within the development agenda.

  • Completion of the Multisectoral Food and Nutrition Security Strategy with accompanying communication tools.

  • Document and disseminate success stories on how communities adapted to COVID-19 and drought at local,regional and global fora.

  • Strengthen the momentum of the SUN Networks, especially SUN Business Network drive for improved food and nutrition security.

  • Enhancing the Food and Nutrition Security Information System.

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Zimbabwe country profile

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