Nutrition
UNICEF supports an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to prevent all forms of malnutrition, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight and obesity.
The Situation
Malnutrition remains a significant public health concern in Zimbabwe, contributing to the overall disease burden and impeding child development. While the country has maintained low levels of wasting (1.5 per cent), stunting has increased from 23.5 per cent to 27 per cent, and the percentage of overweight children under five has risen from 2.5 per cent to 4 per cent. Exclusive breastfeeding rates remain among the lowest in the Eastern and Southern Africa region, at only 42 per cent. The country’s nutrition challenges are exacerbated by food insecurity, climate-related shocks such as El Niño, and limited access to diverse and nutritious diets.
While the country has maintained low levels of wasting (1.5 per cent), stunting has increased from 23.5 per cent to 27 per cent, and the percentage of overweight children under five has risen from 2.5 per cent to 4 per cent.
The Solution
UNICEF supports an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to prevent all forms of malnutrition, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight and obesity. In 2024, UNICEF provided technical and financial assistance to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and the Food and Nutrition Council (FNC), contributing to the review and adoption of national legislation regulating the marketing of breastmilk substitutes (Statutory Instrument 192 of 2024), aimed at protecting and promoting exclusive breastfeeding.
Through the Emergency Social Cash Transfer (ESCT) programme, UNICEF supported integrated school nutrition, education, and social protection services for vulnerable children. As a result, 36,724 children (18,663 girls and 18,061 boys) received nutritionally balanced school meals across 123 schools in five districts. A total of 1,200 health and education frontline workers were trained in school-based nutrition interventions.
To improve adolescent nutrition, 127,480 adolescents (66,645 girls and 60,835 boys) were reached with iron-folate supplementation and nutrition education, aimed at reducing anaemia and improving learning outcomes.
UNICEF also reached 811,403 caregivers of children aged 0–23 months through Care Groups and health facilities, providing counselling on optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and care. These Care Groups, established in partnership with MoHCC and the Food and Nutrition Security Committees (FNSCs), operate across 30 districts, offering peer-to-peer learning, social and behaviour change (SBC) communication, and early childhood development counselling.
Community-based nutrition screening using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was intensified in 29 high-priority districts. Over 1.9 million children under five were screened, and 15,155 children were treated for wasting, with a 79% cure rate. Additionally, more than 1.7 million children received vitamin A supplementation to reduce morbidity and protect their vision.
Key Facts (2024)
- 27% of children under five are stunted
- Exclusive breastfeeding rate remains at 42%
- Wasting prevalence held at 1.5% despite El Niño food insecurity
- 36,724 school-aged children received school meals in 123 schools
- 127,480 adolescents reached with iron-folate and nutrition education
- 811,403 caregivers reached with IYCF counselling
- 1.9 million children screened for malnutrition; 15,155 treated for wasting
- 1.7 million children received vitamin A supplementation
- 12,417 Care Groups active across 30 districts
- Our Contribution to the SDGs
- UNICEF’s work in nutrition contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 3 (Good Health and Well-being), supporting national efforts to reduce child malnutrition and promote healthy diets through system-wide interventions that span health, education, social protection, and WASH.
- There is seasonal and chronic food insecurity across all the regions and increasing urban and peri-urban vulnerability
