Some Background to Zimbabwe's Current Position

The rampant hyperinflation of the Zimbabwean currency, which peaked in 2009 at an annual rate of many millions percent, was curtailed by switching the effective currency in Zimbabwe to the US dollar and South African Rand. This has brought food back to the shelves, but at a high cost. Many people, especially those outside the main urban areas have little access to foreign currency and are thus excluded from any economic gains.

The economic collapse has had a disastrous impact on employment, with rates of unemployment reaching 90%. It has also had a devastating impact on the country’s infrastructure. Zimbabwe used to lead the region in its schools and hospitals, but these have become very rundown and many have closed. Equipment and medicines are in short supply and many staff having emigrated to seek a better life elsewhere. Indeed, by mid 2007, almost 3.5million people had left Zimbabwe, including many with professional skills, with another 1 million displaced internally.

At the same time, Zimbabwe has been deeply affected by AIDS, which has had a disproportionate effect across sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that some 20% of the population is infected with HIV/AIDS and this is an important factor in reducing life expectancy in Zimbabwe to below 40 years. The WHO and UN Aids Agency estimated that, in 2009, only about 5% of the people who eeded them received antiretroviral drugs.

The effects of AIDS, economic collapse and outward migration have deprived many families of their breadwinners and their ability to support their children. Traditionally, these children would have been taken in by their relations but, very frequently, these relations face the same problems and cannot afford to take the children in, who can thus end up on the streets. Just Children Foundation exists to help these children.