Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has the world’s fourth-highest rate of HIV prevalence and has been grappling with a food emergency, declining economic performance and the sharpest rises in child mortality in history.
The economy in Zimbabwe has been struggling since 2000 when land reform was initiated. Agriculture was one of the most important parts of the economy providing over half the jobs and 40% of the country’s foreign exchange. At present 70% of the population are unemployed and inflation is running at at least 150,000%.Imports are paid for mainly in US$. The banks hold an auction three times a week awarding US$ to the highest bidder in Z$ with priority given for certain essentials such as fuel. These arrangements have lead to the people who can manage the system becoming rich, but has made life difficult for the middle classes, for example, doctors, teachers, nurses and technicians who are leaving the country in large numbers.
Growing international isolation resulting from controversial government policies has led to greatly reduced donor funds for the country.
| Facts About the Country |
What your donation could buy in Zimbabwe |
Region: Eastern Africa
Capital: Harare
Population: 13.2 million
Surface area:
390,759
square km
Currency: Zimbabwe Dollar
Development Index: 151
Life Expectancy: 42 years
Infant Mortality: 68/1000
% of population below $1 a day: 56 (1994-2004)
Adult Literacy: 89% |
50p pays a bus fare for one patient coming from out of the area to come back to their diagnostic centre for their final sputum test
£5 is enough to provide food incentives for one patient to ensure that they complete their 8 month treatment
£110 pays for the training of a TB supervisor
£400 buys enough microscope slides for TB diagnosis for one hospital for a year
£1000 buys diesel for the back-up generator (used frequently when electricity supplies fail) for one hospital for a year
£1200 buys a computer and printer for a TB clerk to maintain records of TB patients and monitor progress of the project
£1230 buys a microscope for TB diagnosis
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