UNFPA and the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) implemented the “Health assistance project for women and girls in Zimbabwe affected by tropical Cyclone Idai” with support from the Government of China since 2019. When Cyclone Idai hit Zimbabwe in March 2019, flash floods, loss of lives, destruction of livelihoods and infrastructure were experienced by the communities in Chimanimani, Chipinge, Buhera, Nyanga, Makoni, Mutare Rural, Mutasa districts and parts of Mutare urban.

Chimanimani, which was the epicenter and Chipinge districts were recorded as being the most affected with an estimated 237,000 people affected. Women and girls are affected disproportionately and face multiple sexual and reproductive health challenges when emergencies occur. Homes and critical infrastructure were damaged and some washed away by the floods, this deteriorated the living conditions of these communities resulting in limited access to skilled health providers and health facilities making women and girls more vulnerable thus predisposing them to a high risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. 

The objective of the project was to enable the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) to strengthen emergency obstetric and neonatal care in the cyclone affected areas in Zimbabwe. This was expected to contribute to the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality by 20% in the affected districts and provinces in Zimbabwe.

UNFPA through MoHCC with funding from the Chinese government:

- Procured, delivered & distributed reproductive health medical equipment and medicines to affected health facilities to enhance their capacity to provide emergency care services for pregnant women and new-borns

- Built the capacity of health workers to provide quality maternal health services

- Supported the capacity of health facilities to deliver quality maternal health services through the refurbishment of Maternity Waiting Homes