Real-time evaluation of World Vision Zimbabwe's response to Cyclone Idai and Kenneth

Heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Idai in mid-March caused catastrophic damage and inundated areas of Manicaland and Masvingo provinces of Zimbabwe. Widespread flash flooding claimed at least 634 lives and affected an estimated 270,000 people. A reported 329 people remain missing and 50,905 people were displaced.

The World Vision Zimbabwe Category 2 National response operates under the umbrella of the World Vision Southern Africa Floods & Cyclone Emergency Response (SAFCER), which was declared on 21 March as a Category 3 Global Response. To date, World Vision has projects in food assistance, livelihoods, nutrition, protection, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and education.

The objective of the response is to meet the immediate life-saving and early recovery needs of up to 131,000 people affected by the cyclone in Chimanimani, Chipinge and Buhera districts, 75,000 of which are to be reached in the initial 90 days. To date, World Vision has reached approximately 79,000 affected people. The total budget for the 90-day response was US $5,322,276. To date, encompassing early recovery efforts, the response has met its expanded funding target of US $10 million.

The real-time evaluation (RTE) of World Vision Zimbabwe’s response to Cyclone Idai took place in July 2019. The purpose was to assess the response against four criteria (programme effectiveness, organisational efficiency, coordination & influence, and relevance) and culminated in a workshop comprising World Vision staff and partners. Participants validated the findings, refined and prioritised recommendations and developed action plans around five items for immediate improvement.