Saito S., Monasch R., Keogh E., Dhlembeu N., Bergua J., Mafico M.
UNICEF, Harare, Zimbabwe; Statistics Department, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Harare, Zimbabwe
Saito, S., UNICEF, Harare, Zimbabwe; Monasch, R., UNICEF, Harare, Zimbabwe; Keogh, E., Statistics Department, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; Dhlembeu, N., Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Harare, Zimbabwe; Bergua, J., UNICEF, Harare, Zimbabwe; Mafico, M., UNICEF, Harare, Zimbabwe
This paper describes the experience of Zimbabwe in establishing a baseline for its National Action Plan for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children (NAP for OVC) using the 10 core indicators developed by the UNAIDS Global Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Group in 2004. Through a population-based household survey in rural and urban high-density areas and the OVC policy and planning effort index assessment tool, a baseline was established. The survey found that 43.6% of children under 18 years were orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. Half of all households with children care for one or more OVC. While the large majority of OVC continued to be cared for by the extended family, its capacity to care for these children appeared to be under pressure. OVC were less likely to have their basic minimum material needs met, more likely to be underweight, less likely to be taken to an appropriate health provider when sick and less likely to attend school. Medical support to households with OVC was found to be relatively high (26%). Other support, such as psychosocial support (2%) and school assistance (12%), was lower. The OVC Effort Index assessment indicates that serious efforts are being made. The increase in the effort index between 2001 and 2004 in the areas of consultative efforts, planning and coordinating mechanisms reflects the strengthened commitment. Monitoring and evaluation and legislative review are the weakest areas of the OVC response. The findings of the baseline exercise point to the need for continued and additional efforts and resources to implement the NAP for OVC, the priorities of which were confirmed by the survey as critical to improve the welfare of the OVC in Zimbabwe.