Overview & Mandate in Zimbabwe

UNICEF has been operating in Zimbabwe since 1982.

Its mission is to protect children’s rights, support their development, shield them from harm, and ensure equitable access to services.

It works with the Zimbabwean government, NGOs, other UN agencies, donors, and the private sector.

About 47 % of Zimbabwe’s population — around 7.1 million people — are children under 18.

Many children face poverty, food insecurity, limited access to health and education, climate shocks, and gaps in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.

Key Focus Areas & Programs
Thematic Area Focus & Activities Recent / Notable Interventions
Health & Nutrition Prevent and treat malnutrition; maternal and child health; immunization; disease control MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference) screening for malnutrition expanded from 9 districts in 2024 to 38 districts by March 2025.
Education Improve access to quality, inclusive education; support for children with disabilities and those outside formal schooling Equipping schools with solar power, providing assistive devices, and creating alternative community-based learning opportunities.
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Expand access to safe water and sanitation; promote climate-resilient systems; emergency WASH in crises Upgrading rural water systems and supplying life-saving WASH kits during disease outbreaks.
Emergency & Humanitarian Response Address drought, floods, and outbreaks like cholera while safeguarding child rights and essential services Launched an $84.9 million appeal to support 1.34 million people, including about 866,000 children, during El Niño emergencies.
Climate Change & Resilience Build resilience to drought and erratic rainfall; integrate climate education into schools Partnerships with ministries to include climate learning in classrooms.
Protection, Child Rights & Inclusion Protect against abuse, violence, and exploitation; promote inclusive policies Focus on children with disabilities, child protection coordination, and advocacy.
Supply & Procurement / Operations Logistics, procurement, and vendor management Managing tenders and distribution of essential supplies across Zimbabwe.
Challenges & Context

Food insecurity & malnutrition driven by recurring droughts and climate shocks.

Weak infrastructure in rural areas, with limited electricity, water, and sanitation.

Funding constraints, as humanitarian needs often exceed donor resources.

Climate shocks such as erratic rainfall and extreme weather disrupting livelihoods.

Inclusion gaps, with marginalized groups like children with disabilities harder to reach.

Health pressures & outbreaks, especially cholera and related emergencies.

Impact & Recent Highlights

The 2023 Annual Report highlighted progress across child health, education, WASH, and protection.

Emergency appeals have aimed to support over a million children and families during drought and cholera outbreaks.

Nutrition surveillance expanded significantly in 2024–2025.

Private sector partnerships, such as with SPAR Zimbabwe, boosted awareness campaigns for child health and wellbeing.

Structure & Location

Head Office: 9 Downie Avenue, Belgravia, Harare.

Phone: +263 242 703941 / 703942 / 242 731840

Email: harare@unicef.org

UNICEF Zimbabwe also posts national and international job opportunities through its global recruitment systems.