WFP Zimbabwe Strategic Plan 2022-2026 Evaluation: Legal Curbs Trap Refugees

• An evaluation of the WFP Zimbabwe Strategic Plan 2022-2026 found WFP to be a key humanitarian enabler.
• WFP assistance improved food security for targeted populations, but gains for rural communities were short-term and localized.
• Zimbabwe hosts approximately 22,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with over 16,000 residing in the Tongogara Refugee Settlement.
• Refugees remain highly dependent on food assistance due to legal restrictions on their movement and employment.
• WFP's future strategy will increasingly focus on supporting national systems and made three main recommendations.

A critical finding of the WFP Zimbabwe report was that these refugees remain heavily reliant on food assistance, a dependency directly attributed to existing legal restrictions that severely limit their freedom of movement and their ability to secure employment.

An assessment of the World Food Programme's (WFP) Country Strategic Plan for Zimbabwe, covering 2022 to 2026, has shed light on the organization's pivotal role in humanitarian aid within the nation. The evaluation confirmed WFP's strategic placement as a primary facilitator of assistance, noting that its direct delivery functions increasingly complemented the expanding government-led aid initiatives. This strategic positioning was crucial in a country grappling with significant income disparities, where 38 percent of the total population lives in poverty and 35 percent of urban residents face food insecurity.

The WFP Zimbabwe assessment indicated that the assistance provided successfully enhanced the food security of specific populations it targeted. However, the report also highlighted persistent challenges. Gains in livelihoods and food security for rural communities were often short-lived and geographically confined, suggesting a need for more sustainable and widespread impact. Operational complexities arose in balancing vulnerability-based targeting with the necessity of accessing intricate operational environments and maintaining organizational independence.

Despite the broader improvements in food security for some groups, the evaluation underscored the continued vulnerability of refugees in Zimbabwe. The nation currently hosts approximately 22,000 refugees and asylum seekers, originating from various countries across southern and eastern Africa. A significant portion of this population, specifically over 16,000 individuals, resides within the Tongogara Refugee Settlement.

A critical finding of the WFP Zimbabwe report was that these refugees remain heavily reliant on food assistance, a dependency directly attributed to existing legal restrictions that severely limit their freedom of movement and their ability to secure employment. These legal constraints prevent refugees from achieving self-sufficiency, thereby perpetuating their need for humanitarian assistance Zimbabwe legal frameworks impose. WFP did ensure safety and protection at distribution sites, but the underlying legal issues continued to impact long-term outcomes for this demographic.

Looking ahead, the World Food Programme's added value in Zimbabwe is expected to increasingly pivot towards strengthening and collaborating with national systems. This strategic shift aims to embed humanitarian efforts more deeply within the country's own infrastructure and capabilities, moving beyond direct intervention as the primary mode of operation. The evaluation concluded with three main recommendations designed to guide this future direction and address the identified challenges.

The ongoing food insecurity in Zimbabwe, particularly affecting 57 percent of rural households during the lean season, necessitates a robust and adaptable approach. While WFP's past efforts improved conditions for targeted groups, the evaluation points to the need for more enduring solutions, especially for vulnerable populations like refugees, whose plight is exacerbated by specific legal limitations. The findings from this WFP Zimbabwe Strategic Plan 2022-2026 evaluation will inform future programming to address these complex humanitarian and developmental challenges.

Lawyers advising humanitarian organizations, international bodies, or involved in refugee advocacy in Zimbabwe should note that the WFP evaluation explicitly identifies existing legal restrictions on refugee movement and employment as a critical factor contributing to their continued food insecurity. This highlights a specific area where legal reform or targeted advocacy could significantly impact humanitarian outcomes and compliance for organizations operating in this space.

Source: Original reporting via WFP evaluation document