Zimbabwe faced major challenges from 2000 to 2008. This period was characterized by hyperinfl ati on, a complex politi cal and humanitarian situati on, and a breakdown in the delivery of social services. The economy declined by 50.3%, and infl ati on reached the unprecedented level of 231 million per cent by July 2008. The percentage of the populati on living below the nati onal poverty line rose from 55% in 1995 to 72% in 2003. This percentage is believed to have increased further due to the persisti ng adverse economic conditi ons which peaked in