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KEY MESSAGES

I Ruralurban linkages, characterised by the

movement of people, cash and goods, remain

significant in Zimbabwe. The strength of these

links varies over time and space, and depends

on a number of variables, not least household

economic status.

I Stakeholders need to start approaching migration

as one element of typical livelihood strategy

which can provide benefits to the household

unit, rather than as a negative coping strategy.

I The existence of rural urban linkages can impact

upon many of the underlying causes of

malnutrition. This research has found that themost obvious of these is food security, which is

directly affected by these linkages. Child care

practises such as breast feeding and weaning

are also affected.

I Rural urban linkages have both positive and

negative implications for nutrition. Certain

linkages are born out of necessity due to

weak livelihoods, while others manifest

regardless of whether a household is in crisis

or not. Identifying the negative effects of

linkages should lead to policy interventions

which may alleviate the damage.

I For typical poor households the advantages

of having rural urban linkages are initially

accrued to the urban migrant. Poor households

do not send or receive remittances.

I Rural and urban components of the householdare part of one economic unit. This implies that

a holistic approach is needed, which takes into

account the fact that policies and programmes

implemented in urban areas will have knock on

effects in rural areas and vice versa.

RURAL-URBAN LINKAGESZimbabwe

Full reports available from www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk

January 2012

Action Against Hunger www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk

Action Against Hunger | ACF International is an international humanitarian organisation committed to ending childhunger. Recognised as a leader in the fight against malnutrition, ACF works to save the lives of malnourished children

while providing communities with sustainable access to safe water and long-term solutions to hunger. With 30 yearsof expertise in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster and chronic food insecurity, ACF runs life-savingprogrammes in some 40 countries benefitting nearly 5 million people each year.

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RURAL URBAN LINKAGES IN ZIMBABWE2

Zimbabwean Central Statistical Office, (2009). Monthly InflationFigures. CSO: Harare.

FIGURE 1: CHRONIC MALNUTRITION, ZIMBABWE

CONTEXTAt independence in 1980, the Zimbabwean economy

experienced a period of gradual growth and relative

stability. A diverse economy, dominated by agricultural

production was complemented by a strong

manufacturing base. However, since the mid nineties,

years of political, economic and social upheaval

combined with recurrent drought has brought the

nation to the brink of collapse. At its height in August

2008, inflation stood at an eye watering 231 million

percent, before the Zimbabwe dollar was suspendedin April 2009. The demise of the formal economy and

most public services followed. Unemployment has

remained above 80% for the last two decades, pushing

many people into the informal economy. The situation

is exacerbated by an AIDS epidemic, which has hit the

economy hard, leaving many children orphaned.

Improvements have been noted since 2009 through

the formation of a coalition government and adoption

of a US$-based economy but the country is still reeling

in the aftermath of a decade-long crisis. Chronic

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