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http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive/urbdev/050722chraaa.asp?sector=URBDEV&range_start=1
A
Study on the Impact of
“Operation
Murambatsvina/Restore Order”
in
26 Wards of Harare High Density Housing
Areas
ActionAid
International in Collaboration with
Combined
Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
July
2005
The Harare
Operation Murambatsvina Survey represents a unique opportunity to gain insights
into the impact of Operation Murambatsvina on communities and households where
the Operation was executed since 18 May 2005. This report attempts to give a factual account of
the impact Operation Murambatsvina/Restore Order. This is done through analysis
of the impact at both household level and community level.
A structured
questionnaire was used in the collection of data from 14,137 respondents
distributed in 26 affected high density suburbs. The quantitative household survey was designed to
collect the following types of information from the interviewed households: 1)
household demographics, 2) Livelihood activities affected by the operation, 3)
household impact, 4) current coping mechanisms being employed by the communities
in response to the operation, 5) assistance communities are currently receiving
6) assistance currently being offered and assistance perceived as required by
the communities.
Initially 26 team leaders
for each ward were trained on the administration of the questionnaire and
sampling procedures. Thereafter, a further 9 researchers were trained by the
trained by the team leaders at ward level. Therefore, 260 researchers collected
this information over a two day period. At least 500 homesteads were visited
during the course of the study. This represents a third of households per
ward. Data collected was entered stored
and exported into Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 13.
Subsequently, analysis was done to generate frequencies, descriptive and derived
variables.
Socio-demographic data of the sampled
wards
Assumptions:
Calculation
Process:
Based on these figures and
assumptions, the following are projected households that were affected by the
operation;
Adding the remaining 4 wards – 30/26
* 14,137 = 16,311 households in all 30 wards
Total population affected, households
sampled*average household size*average households per
homestead*
16,311*5.8*3 = 283
811
However the sample is only a third of
the population in the wards. Therefore, the total population would be:
283 811*3= 851 434
From the data generated from the survey, 97% (n = 13 712) of homesteads
visited in the 26 wards were affected by the Operation in varying proportions
and different ways. Demographic data for the general population is discussed
below:
· Overall population sampled is 81,995
with an average household size of 5.8
· The majority of respondents and
household heads were male (56% and 61%
respectively)
· The total number of households
affected by the operation (which includes; households that lost accommodation,
had shelter lost, lost livelihoods, children not attending school as a result)
was 97% (13,712) of sampled households.
Livelihoods
The household
survey inquired on primary sources of income of those affected by the Operation, since secondary information
suggests that the Operation has had an adverse effect on the
livelihoods.
Proportions
who were engaged informal and formal sectors | ||
Strata |
Informal
sector |
Formal
sector |
Female
headed households |
91% |
9% |
Child
headed households |
100% |
0% |
Households
hosting orphans |
92% |
8% |
Households
hosting chronically ill members |
91% |
9% |
Households
hosting mentally/physically challenged persons |
91% |
9% |
Impact of the Operation at household
level
The extent to which a households or communities were affected has not
been quantified. Scant, inconsistent and at times conflicting information is
available on this issue. Therefore as one of the key findings of the survey, it
was to explore and detail what it is that households lost during the exercise.
This are discussed below:
Shelter
Source of income
Education for children
The welfare of children especially in terms of their ability to attend
school is a basic fundamental right, was affected by the operation.
Property
Deterioration in health
Food
security
Household safety and security
Household safety and security was defined as the family ability to
protect and safe guard its assets (physical) and from exploitation.
Disruption of family unit
Housing waiting list runs into hundreds of thousands in Harare and all
other urban areas in Zimbabwe. Sharing of homesteads and extension of houses was
a way in which Harareans sought to mitigate the accommodation problem.
Women status and dignity
Humiliation and loss of dignity as a direct result of the operation was
also reported. Prior to the demolition exercise, it is reported and accounted by
respondents that the authorities would move around marking what they deemed as
illegal structures using paint. The marked buildings were to be destroyed. Such
actions resemble a war situation. This is witnessed by 39% of the interviewed
homesteads claiming that they had lost their dignity as a result of the
Operation.
Increased vulnerability for women and children
Psychologically affected (traumatised)
Coping mechanisms adopted by households
Assistance currently being received
Proportion
of assistance required | |
Area
of need |
Proportion
(%) |
Shelter
|
73% |
Food
|
83% |
Compensation
|
4% |
Relocation
|
45% |
Education
|
56% |
Legal
help |
4% |
Monetary
(financial help) |
74% |
Psycho-social
support |
42% |
Perceived assistance
required
Table clearly demonstrates
the areas that when cited by respondents. From the
preceding paragraphs, it has been documented that major support gaps are in
existence in the 26 wards.
The range of
recommendations presented in the report is mentioned in summary form below. These are aimed at those involved and
responding to the crisis. Policy analysis is urgent and will be subsequent to
this report.
General Recommendations:-
1.1
Background to
“Operation Murambatsvina/Restore Order”......................... 1
3.1
Socio-demographic
data of the sampled affected wards in Harare................. 4
3.1.1.2
Chronically Ill,
mentally ill and physically challenged.............................
5
3.3.10
Increased
vulnerability for children, orphans and women..................... 10
3.3.11
Psychologically
affected (traumatized).................................................
10
3.4
Coping mechanisms
being employed by affected communities.................... 10
3.5
Assistance currently
being received by affected areas..................................
11
3.6
Perceived assistance
required by communities.............................................
11
5.2
Wards visited and
Questionnaires administered...........................................
15
Table 3: Percent of households with chronically ill
and mentally/physically challenged persons 5
Table 5: Proportions who
were engaged informal and formal sectors.............................
8
Figure 2. Coping
mechanisms being employed by communities...................................
11
UNCT
United Nations Country Team
IOM
United Nations - International Organization for
Migration
WFP
United Nations - World Food Programme
UNDP
United Nation Development Programme
FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization
INGOs
International Non-Governmental Organizations
CBO
Community Based Organisations
HIV Human
Immuno Deficiency Virus
AIDS Acquired
Immuno Deficiency Syndrome
HH
Household
GoZ
Government of Zimbabwe
Child headed household
|
A household headed by a person below 18
years |
Chronically Ill |
A person who has had persistent and
recurring illness during the last three months that has reduced his/her
productivity. |
Dependency ratio |
Dependency ratios are useful parameters
for defining vulnerable households, as they describe the ratio of non-productive
to productive members of a household.
|
Disabled |
A person who has a mental and/or
physical handicap that prevents him/her from
full-productivity. |
Elderly headed household
|
A household headed by a person above 60
and does not include a productive person (18 – 60 years
old) |
Female headed household
|
A household headed by a woman, the
woman is the primary decision maker. |
Head of the
Household |
The primary decision-maker in terms of
allocating the natural, human, and financial resources available to the
household.
|
Homestead |
A dwelling where one or more households
could reside. |
Household |
A family unit comprising of a head and
dependants. The head is not necessarily a relative of the dependant but is
responsible for their well being. |
Operation Murambatsvina/Restore
Order |
|
Orphan |
A child with one (single orphan) or
both parents (double) that have died and abandoned children. |
Ward |
|
The Operation that changed
the lives of thousands of people in Zimbabwe began on 18th May 2005;
when the state declared and rolled out bulldozers with armed police across the
cities of Zimbabwe to demolish all “illegal structures”. The
operation witnessed the destruction of dwellings, livelihoods, vending stalls
and the confiscation of goods and property belonging to informal traders. It is
estimated that over 55 000[2] households in 52
sites across the country and between 250 000 - 500 000 have been rendered
homeless, or forced to migrate to the rural areas. Furthermore, more than 30 000
people were arrested and fined in the process.
To date, the operation has
received wider condemnation from both local and international sympathizers,
agencies and actors alike. The exercise has been described as inhuman and
lacking proper planning. But the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) continuously
defends its position as attempt to
clean up the urban centres and rid them
of illegal vendors, illegal dwellings and criminal elements who were among other
things accused of fuelling the foreign currency black market.
The humanitarian relief
support and response to the affected individuals and families is being carried
out under the coordination of various faith based organizations these include
churches, in coordination with local community based organizations (CBOs) and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) comprising of the International
Organization for Migration (IOM), World Food Programme (WFP), United Nation
Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
together with numerous International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs),
have been providing support to community organizations and churches involved in
providing relief to the affected communities.
However, the nature and extent of responses is not only limited in its
scope and coverage but lacking important and critical information necessary in
providing a well coordinated and effective response. There is no
socio-demographic or economic information on those affected as well as needs
information to inform appropriate responses. Lack of information is affecting
response programme planning, implementation and inability to ascertain the
effectiveness of relief efforts. The major challenge being experienced in
providing the adequate relief is that it is biased towards those with access to
relief assistance (in holding camps and those that have been sheltered in
churches); leaving the most vulnerable members of the affected population.
This survey conducted by CHRA and ActionAid within the high density areas
of Harare, as an attempt to fill the void created by the lack of basic
information on those affected and needing assistance as a result of “Operation Murambatsvina/Restore
Order”.
A structured
questionnaire was used in the collection of data from 14,137 respondents.
The quantitative household
survey was designed to collect the following types of information from the
interviewed households:
1.
Household
demographic information: including age, sex,
status of parents (orphans), physical status of individuals (chronically ill and
mentally/physically challenged), and school enrolment
status,
2.
Livelihood
activities: that household members
were engaged in during the previous months before the Operation,
3.
Household
impact of the Operation: estimates on lost
shelter, source of income, education for children, property, deterioration of
health (HIV/AIDS), food security, household safety and security, disruption of
the family unit, women status and dignity, increased vulnerability for children,
orphans and women and the psychological (trauma) effects,
4.
Current
coping mechanisms being employed: using own resources,
relatives support, aid agencies (NGOs), government support, community based
organizations and those not coping at all,
5.
Assistance
currently being provided: the questionnaire
explored what the sampled communities are receiving as support i.e. shelter,
food, compensation, relocation, education for children, legal help, monetary
(financial support) and psycho-social support (counseling) and any other
support.
6.
Assistance
required by affected communities: i.e. shelter, food,
compensation, relocation, education for children, legal help, monetary
(financial support) and psycho-social support (counseling).
Furthermore, enumerators took extra notes to complement the questionnaire
(observational and other emerging issues).
Training of
trainers: a total of 50
trainers were trained on the administration, sampling techniques and data
quality control.
Training of
enumerators: A further 210
enumerators were trained by the trained trainers at ward level.
Administrative boundaries
were used since these would help in the identification and prioritization of
wards and assess the impact of the Operation and direct influence on defining
livelihood characteristics of households. 26 out of 30 high
density residential wards were surveyed for the purpose of this study. Wards not
sampled because access by CHRA was not possible, include parts of Dzvivarasekwa
(40, 39), Epworth (22), Kuwadzana (44).
A sampling interval of 2 was used to sample homesteads in a ward (since we required interviewing a third of
the homesteads). A team comprising of 10 researchers (1 team leader and 9 enumerators) was
responsible for data collection in each respective ward. The ten researchers
would allocate each other specific areas of the ward for the two days of data
collection. Therefore, a representative coverage of the wards was met.
Initially, CHRA wanted to visit each and every homestead to establish the
true extend to which the “Operation
Murambatsvina” had affected households. However, due to the lack of manpower
and resources for this exercise only a third of the homesteads were visited in
the affected wards. This is a statistically significant proportion of the
communities to make sound inferences about the general population. Consequently,
at least 500 homesteads per ward were visited during the exercise.
The Operation Restore Order survey has several limitations which must be
considered when interpreting and using the results to judge the impact of the
Operation. First and foremost, the time frame covering the survey is
approximately 2 months after the first documented demolitions. Many changes may
take place between the survey data collection, entry and report write-up. Thus
there may be real changes taking place that will not be revealed by the
household survey alone. For this reason it is important to also consider
contextual information as well as qualitative information collected. Additional
limitations are captured below were noted by the
team:
ü
Survey
coverage: Initially, CHRA
wanted to collect information possible from all residents in Harare of the
affected wards, however, fuel, money, researcher safety and manpower were
limiting. The survey therefore only covered the high density housing areas of
the city. The Survey did not include Chitungwiza and this remains an area that
should be assessed.
ü
Comprehensive
information: The information
collected in the questionnaire is not comprehensive, due to the debate between
coverage (numbers) and in-depth interview (detailed analysis), a compromise was
therefore the one third sample. Additional information such as ART, HBC and
mobility and migration were all not captured.
ü
Coverage of
holding camps: This survey did
not take place in the holding camps and informal settlements.
ü
Delayed
implementation of the survey: The first
demolitions started on 25 May 2005, and this report is coming out two months
after.
ü
The
time frame: Like all studies
conducted over a short period of time the final product is a mere snapshot of
the bigger picture. While every effort
has been made to paint as accurate a picture as possible of the household impact
of the Operation, the representative sample used in this regard is 33.3% of the
total number of homesteads in the 26 wards.
ü Baseline data
and the extent of the impact:
The study is conducted within the context of various views and differing
understanding of impact of the Operation and the current situation. For example, government reports estimates are
inconsistent with those of the United Nations - IOM. In the absence of reliable and consistent
baseline data the evaluators were dependent on using a sampling method in
capturing as much information as possible and applying this to an agreed
understanding of the factors that constitute impact of the Operation.
ü Additional
Variables: The study did not capture access to HIV/AIDS
quality care and treatment (ART and HBC). The mobility and migratory patterns of
affected communities were not captured. The study did not interrogate the cost
(in Z$) of the loss in property and livelihoods. There is scope and need for
further studies in these areas.
Immediately after the survey, collected data was entered, cleaned,
processed and analyzed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
The Harare
Operation Murambatsvina Survey represents a unique opportunity to gain insights
into the impact of Operation Murambatsvina on communities and households. This section attempts to give a factual account of
the impact Operation Murambatsvina/Restore Order.
From the data generated from the survey, 97% (n = 13 712) of homesteads
visited in the 26 wards[3] were affected by the Operation
in varying proportions and different ways.
Strata/Category |
Sub-strata |
Sample Size (number of
HHs) |
Overall Population |
|
81,995 |
Total number of households visited
|
|
14,137 |
Gender of respondent
|
Male |
7,960
(56%) |
Female |
6,177
(44%) | |
Gender of HH Head |
Male |
8,602
(61%) |
Female |
5,532
(39%) | |
Total number affected by the operation[4]
|
|
13,712
(97%) |
The average age of the
head of household is 41 years, with the youngest reported as 12 years old and
the oldest as 89 years old. Female
household heads are slightly older than male household heads, 43 and 39 years
old, respectively. The
average size of sampled households is 5.8.
Marital status
|
Proportion |
Married
|
59% |
Widowed
|
19% |
Separated
|
4% |
Divorced
|
6% |
Single/never
married |
11% |
Table 2 summarizes the
marital status of the study population.
The majority (59%) of households are married and 19% are widowed. Only a small proportion of the households are
divorced, separated or single (Table 2).
The following section
defines various vulnerable groups important in emergencies and used as variables
to disaggregate survey data. These
groups include households hosting orphans, households with chronically ill
members, female-headed households, elderly-headed households with no
productive-age (18 to 60 years) members, and households headed by minors (less
than 18 years) commonly referred to as child headed households.
Orphans, for the purpose
of the study, are defined as children under 18 years of age who have one or more
parents deceased. Orphans have been
further classified as those who have one parent deceased and the remaining
parent lives in the same household, those who have one parent deceased and the
remaining parent lives outside of the same household, and those who have both
parents deceased (double orphans). Almost a third (32%) of households surveyed
were hosting at least an orphan.
Female-headed households bear much of the burden in caring for orphans,
with over forty percent (41%) of their households hosting at least one orphan
child, while about 26% of male headed households are doing the same. It is well
documented in Africa that there is a greater probability in women headed
households hosting orphans compared to male headed households. This not only
creates extra load on women but also limits the amount of time dedicated to
other survival needs.
Another vulnerable group
are chronically ill members, physically challenged and mentally ill. Chronically
ill individuals, for the purposes of the study, are those who have been ill for
three months or longer prior to the study.
This would include individuals with HIV/AIDS, and other long-term
illnesses. Chronically ill individuals were present in 13% of households
surveyed. However, this may be an
underestimation due to stigma still attached to HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, due to
the sensitivity and confidentiality of the information this survey did not
exhaustively explore HIV/AIDS even though it is of great importance. Chronic
illness in Zimbabwe is largely an HIV/AIDS issue, and to some degree it is used
by in this study as a proxy for HIV/AIDS. More detailed figures are presented in
Table 3, below for several strata.
Chronically ill individuals comprise the majority of the vulnerable in
this category. Almost 13% of households
include at least one chronically ill individual, while 6% include at least
mentally/physically challenged person.
There is a small but
significant difference between the percentages of chronically ill found in male-
and female-headed households. There is
no difference, however, in the number of disabled individuals between the two
household types.
Table 3: Percent of households with chronically ill
and mentally/physically challenged persons | ||
Category |
Chronically Ill
Individuals |
Mentally/physically challenged individuals
|
% of
households | ||
General Population |
13 |
6 |
Male-headed
households |
11 |
5 |
Female-headed
households |
15 |
6 |
Approximately 12% of
household heads surveyed in the study are above 60 years. There were more male
heads of households compared to female heads (62% vs. 38%, respectively). The
mean age of elderly headed households was 68 years (with a range of 60 to 89
years).
Only 1% (142) of total homesteads visited were headed by children (below
18 years). The youngest household head recorded was 12 years with a mean age of
15 years. Of the 1% noted, 62% were headed by girls and the remainder by boys.
Close to half (44%) of the homestead visited were female headed
households (of these 14% were widows). Information pertaining to this category
has been captured earlier. The mean size
of households was almost the same for female headed households compared to male
headed households (5.7 and 5.8, respectively).
| |
Category |
Proportions in
vulnerable categories |
Category 1 |
15% |
Category 2 |
31% |
Category 3 |
39% |
Category
4 |
11% |
Category
5 |
4% |
Any particular household
can be in from none to all five of the vulnerable household categories above
(this is refereed to as multiple vulnerability categories or compound
vulnerability). For example, an elderly
female head of household with chronically ill household members and hosting
orphans would be in all four categories.
Likewise, a 45 year old male-headed household with no orphans or
chronically ill members would not appear in any of the vulnerable
categories. Households, whose head is
young, for example under 16 years of age, are also vulnerable. Therefore, the
report explores this aspect and tries to explicitly show multiple vulnerability
and the categories. Table depicts the vulnerable categories that most households
fall into from the sample. Information gathered shows that women headed
households and child headed households are more likely to fall into two or more
other vulnerable categories. This clearly demonstrates that these two strata
probably felt most of the impact of the Operation.
The pooled Harare data set
provides a rare opportunity to explore school attendance and dropout rates for
areas affected by the Operation. Education is a good measure of the
vulnerability primarily of children and secondarily for the family. School
attendance in Zimbabwe is normally high. It is unfortunate that detailed
information pertaining to age categories and grades was not collected to give a
clear representation of the impact of the Operation. However, from the
information solicited from the respondents, some clear observations are made.
Out of 14,137 sampled households, 22% of them reported that children were not
attending school as a direct result of the Operation Murambatsvina/Restore
Order. Children in women headed households seem to have been affected slightly
more compared to male headed households with 24% versus 20%, respectively.
Furthermore, worryingly, was the increased incidence rate in non attendance
rates for households hosting orphans against those not hosting orphans (40% vs.
14%).
Currently, Zimbabwe is facing its worst economic crisis. Consequently
unemployment is estimated at above 70%. The respondents were asked what their
primary source of income was before the Operation. Secondary information
suggests that the Operation has had an adverse effect on the livelihoods.
A majority (73%) of urban dwellers were engaged in informal
trading[5] prior to Operation Murambatvsina/Restore Order
from the sample. Households derive income from a number of
different sources. Figure 1 shows the
proportion of households in the survey and their primary sources of income prior
to the Operation. The primary
sources of livelihood that have were cited to have been disrupted (73%) as a
result of the Operation from the
sample include: tuck shop ownership (9%), flea market (11%), fruit and vegetable
vending (17%), offering accommodation (18%), cross border trader (6%) and petty
trade (5%) such as sale of firewood. It is approximately 2 months since the
Operation commenced and to date individuals are still waiting for police
clearance, operating licenses from council, the construction and allocation of
vending stalls. Considering that informal trading contributions towards the
family are not large, one wonders how these people are currently managing with
no income for the past two months in such a hype-inflationary country.
Figure
1: Livelihoods before
the Operation
A
further in depth analysis reveals that a majority of the respondents in the 5
vulnerable categories, primary source on income lies in the informal sector
(range 91% - 100%). This gives credence to the claims that the Operation has had
massive negative impact on families that were relying on informal trading as a
livelihood. Moreover, considering these would naturally have high dependency
ratios (, fewer coping strategies access to social protection and safety nets.
Income sources vary
somewhat by strata (Table 5). Male and
female-headed households vary most in the percentage that receive income from
the formal sector (18% vs. 9%).
Households with chronically ill members mimic closely the general
population, while households hosting orphans rely less on formal employment,
slightly more on vending and petty trade.
Table 5: Proportions who were
engaged informal and formal sectors | ||
Strata |
Informal sector
|
Formal sector
|
Female headed
households |
91% |
9% |
Child headed
households |
100% |
0% |
Households
hosting orphans |
92% |
8% |
Households
hosting chronically ill members |
91% |
9% |
Households
hosting mentally/physically challenged persons |
91% |
9% |
As already highlighted, the impact of the operation has cut across a wide
spectrum of households and age groups. However, the impact is generally the same
- negative. The extent to which a households or communities were affected has
not been quantified. Scant, inconsistent and at times conflicting information is
available on this issue. Therefore as one of the key findings of the survey, it
was to explore and detail what it is that households lost during the exercise.
The areas investigated include; shelter, source of income, education for
children, loss of property (apart from shelter), deterioration of health, food
security, household safety and security, disruption of family unit, women status
and dignity, increased vulnerability for children, orphans and women as well as
the psychological (trauma) effect on the family. These are discussed
below:
A majority (76%) of respondents reported that they had lost shelter. Loss
of shelter was two fold 1) a tenant being evicted as a result of demolitions, 2)
a land lord losing a section of his home as a result of the demolitions. It
becomes apparent that the increased demand for accommodation net effect is the
escalation in the cost of accommodation and over crowding in the “legitimate”
structures. It can be argued that this will form the foundation for increased
incidences of communicable diseases and the destruction of the social fabric as
some enumerators reported cases where women and men shared a room. From the
analysis no differences were noted for the other vulnerable categories apart
from the households headed by women and children in terms of impact.
Overall, 79% of interviewed households reported that they had lost their
sources of income. The most probable source of income includes those already
highlighted above on the primary sources of income. This figure is similar to
the 73% that had lost sources of income (livelihoods) as a direct result of the
Operation. The increase may be attributable to multiple sources of income that
households are engaged in to ameliorate vulnerability. Strikingly this generally
affected all households in the same proportion.
The welfare of children especially in terms of their ability to attend
school is a basic fundamental right, was affected by the operation. School drop
out was reported to be 22%. However, 45% of households interviewed reported that
they were at a precarious position in funding and accessing schools for their
children, currently and in future. This may be a clear indication on the future
prospects of school enrolment for children in the near future. Reasons
attributable to this may be due to the destruction of livelihoods and the
preoccupation that members of communities find themselves in meeting survival
strategies. Households hosting orphans and female headed households according to
the survey results were more likely to cite this as one aspect affected by the
operation.
During the Operation, property was lost as security of household property
was compromised, breakage of property as a direct result of the demolitions,
property seized by the police and council police. Furthermore, some artisans
sold tools and products at give away prices in order to minimize losses as a
result of the Operation. Forty five percent (45%) of homesteads visited reported
that they had incurred losses of property. Unfortunately, the survey was not
able to quantify in Zimbabwean dollar value what it was exactly the affected
communities had lost and also the nature of the property. However, based on the
figure quoted, this clearly demonstrates that the affected communities’ had lost
a lot of property. Generally, households assets are used as a source of revenue
in extreme cases, now with the loss of property, this can only mean that
household security and safety needs had been reduced. Nonetheless no apparent
difference was noted for the type of household and the vulnerability category in
this respect.
The well being of the community is one important indicator of social
wellbeing. And as such the survey explored how individuals had coped health
wise, after Operation Murambatsvina.
It is sad to note that slightly over 20% of people interviewed, attributed the
deterioration of health of their loved ones as a direct result of the operation.
Moreso considering the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe, it would be safe
to assume that individuals who were receiving medication (ARTs) and support
(food, counselling) had lost these services as a result of the Operation.
Furthermore, as already stated above, those with livelihoods that have been
destroyed may not be able to meet their dietary requirements resulting in the
increased deterioration of their health.
Food security has four pillars, namely; access, availability, utilization
and affordability. Approximately, 60% of households sampled claimed that they
had become food insecure as a consequence of the Operation. Being urban areas,
most of the food supply to the family is sourced from the market. Little or no
food finds its way from the rural areas if a family has rural linkages exists.
With the continued escalation in the cost of basic commodities especially food
in the country with the simultaneous destruction of livelihoods, communities
have increasing become food insecure.
Household safety and security was defined as the family ability to
protect and safe guard its assets (physical) and from exploitation. Almost half
(49%) of the homesteads reported that this indicator had been compromised as a
result of the operation. Reasons attributed may be the influx of unemployed
people as a result of the Operation. Furthermore, in Mbare some households were
living in the open adjacent to Mbare Bus Terminus (wards 12, 3, and 4). Reasons
cited for this were 1) inability to secure alternative accommodation because of
the scarcity and cost, 2) shortage of buses to ferry displaced people to their
rural areas, 3) in ability to secure bus fares and 4) people who had nowhere to go.
Housing waiting list runs into hundreds of thousands in Harare and all
other urban areas in Zimbabwe. Sharing of homesteads and extension of houses was
a way in which Harareans sought to mitigate the accommodation problem. The
Operation destroyed structures that were deemed as illegal in Harare’s high
density areas. More than three quarters (3/4) of the respondents reported losing
shelter. If this is the case, due to the strain and the exorbitant rental rates
that the landlords charge, the family unit is exposed to further economic
strain. It worrying to note that over 40% of homesteads visited reported that
family units had been disrupted as a result of the operation. Mostly children
and spouses had been relocated back to the rural homesteads if this was
plausible.
Humiliation and loss of dignity as a direct result of the operation was
also reported. Prior to the demolition exercise, it is reported and accounted by
respondents that the authorities would move around marking what they deemed as
illegal structures using paint. The marked buildings were to be destroyed. Such
actions resemble a war situation. Therefore, naturally, women primarily as
custodians of the family, were victims of such draconian measures. This is
witnessed by 39% of the interviewed homesteads claiming that they had lost their
dignity as a result of the Operation.
In a disaster (natural or man made in this case) children and women are
more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. It is saddening to note that 37% of
the interviewed homesteads acknowledged that women and children had become more
vulnerable to abuse as a consequence of the Operation. Furthermore, a high
proportion of the these were from female-headed households. A major problem that
normally ensues is sexual exploitation as women try to fend for children. As
earlier highlighted, the majority of child headed households are girls. This not
only reinforces the earlier statement that they are increasingly becoming
vulnerable.
The operation was swiftly implemented without prior warning in most
wards. Heavy machinery such as bull dozers and trucks were rolled out. To
complement this armed police and riot personnel participated in the Operation.
The scale of the Operation in some instances resembled a war situation. As a
result almost 40% of respondents interviewed claimed that they had been
traumatized by the graphic, detailed and heavy handedness of the implementers of
the Operations. From the analysis done, this was generally the same across
board. Despite the low proportion of child headed households, this seemed to be
reported in 82% of child headed households.
Coping mechanisms are behavioural changes made at household level to
adjust to unexpected and expected shocks. It becomes extremely prudent to
establish how households are coping as a result of the sheer magnitude of the
operation. Coping mechanisms employed paint a good picture on the vulnerability
status of the affected communities. Currently, only 37% households reported that
they were using their own resources to sustain the family. A further 22% claimed
to be getting assistance from relatives, whilst government, community based
organizations and non-governmental organizations accounted for a mere 6% (see
Figure 2). More importantly is the realization that 35% of households were not
receiving any assistance at all and described themselves as not managing the
situation at all. In this bracket, the majority were child- and women headed
households accounting for 76% of the responses. This proportion is in urgent
need of assistance, whilst those that are being supported by relative may not be
in immediate need, will require help in the near future, since relatives’
support may be temporary and stretched as these find themselves in the same
predicament.
Figure
2. Coping mechanisms
being employed by communities
Of those that reported receiving assistance from the various sources, the
following categories are the nature of assistance being received; food (17%),
shelter (15%), monetary (8%), education for children (7%), relocation (5%),
psycho-social support (5%) and legal help (4%). This clearly suggests that there
are major gaps in the support that is being offered to the communities.
| |
Area of need |
Proportion (%) |
Shelter |
73% |
Food |
83% |
Compensation |
50% |
Relocation |
45% |
Education |
56% |
Legal help |
4% |
Monetary (financial
help) |
74% |
Psycho-social
support |
42% |
As follow up question,
respondents were asked on assistance they felt were areas of need that had
arisen as a result of the operation. Table clearly demonstrates the areas that
when cited by respondents. From the
preceding paragraphs, it has been documented that major support gaps are in
existence in the 26 wards. Therefore, the study sought to establish the
communities perceptions as areas of immediate need for survival. This tie in
with the emerging issues captured in this report. 73% of surveyed homesteads
require shelter, 83% require food and a further 74% require money. Education for
children and psycho-social counselling had 56% and 42%, respectively. Close to
half the respondents (45%) required to be assisted in relocation, whilst half of
the interviewed homesteads required compensation for lost
property.
General Recommendations:-
Questionnaire ID:
Prov District Ward
Household
Suburb/District: HARARE
0 1 Ward
Name:
Ward Number:
Household
number:
Date
of interview:
0 5
Day Month Year Name
of Enumerator: Name
of Supervisor: Name
of Data Entry Clerk:
|
Name
of the respondent: First name:
Surname: Sex
of respondent: 1 =
male 2 =
female Physical
address: What
is your nationality? What
is your citizenship? When
were you affected by Operation Murambatsvina?
0 5
Day Month
Year |
HOUSEHOLD
DEMOGRAPHICS | |||||||
1. |
How
old is the household head? |
years | |||||
2. |
What
is the sex of the household head? |
1 =
male 2 =
female | |||||
3. |
Marital
status of household head? |
Married……………….….1
Widowed
………… ….….2 Separated…………………3 Divorced…………………4 Single/never
married…….5 | |||||
4. |
Total
number of household members |
members | |||||
5. |
How
many are: |
Age
range |
Male
|
Female
| |||
Below
18 years (0-17 years) |
|
| |||||
Between
18 and 59 years |
|
| |||||
Above
60 years |
|
| |||||
6. |
Are
there any chronically ill members in your household? (a person who has been ill
for more than 3 months with HIV/AIDS continuously) |
1 =
Yes 2 =
No | |||||
7. |
If
yes, how many? |
99 =
NA | |||||
8. |
Are
there any orphans in your household? (Circle 1) |
1 =
Yes 2 =
No | |||||
9. |
If
yes, how many? |
99 =
NA | |||||
10. |
Are
there any children below 18 years not attending school? (Circle 1) |
1 =
Yes 2 =
No | |||||
11. |
If
yes, how many? |
99 = NA | |||||
12. |
Are
there any mentally/physically challenged members in your
household? |
1 =
Yes 2 = No
| |||||
13 |
If
yes, how many? |
99 = NA | |||||
| |||||||
Livelihoods | |||||||
14. |
What
was this household’s primary source of income before Operation Murambatsvina? (Codes
below) |
| |||||
Codes
for 14 1 =
remittance 2 =
flea market 3 =
tuck-shop 4 =
fruit and vegetable sales (vending) |
5 =
skilled trade/artisan (e.g. carpenter) 6 =
formal salary wages 7 =
offering accommodation 8 =
petty trade (freezit, sweets etc) 9 =
cross border trader |
10 =
begging, gifts, donations 11 =
no source of income 88 =
other (specify --------------) | |||||
15. |
How
was your household affected by the Operation? (Prompt all
answers) |
|
1 =
Yes 2 =
No | ||||
|
1 =
Yes 2 =
No | ||||||
|
1 =
Yes 2 =
No | ||||||
|
1 =
Yes 2 =
No | ||||||
|
1 =
Yes 2 =
No | ||||||
|
1 =
Yes 2 =
No | ||||||
|
1 =
Yes 2 =
No | ||||||
|
1 =
Yes 2 =
No | ||||||
|
1 =
Yes 2 =
No | ||||||
|
1 =
Yes 2 =
No | ||||||
16. |
How
is the family currently managing? (Circle all responses)
|
1 =
own resources 2 =
relatives support 3 =
aid agency (NGOs) 4 =
government support 5 =
community based organisations 6 =
not managing at all 88 =
others specify (…………………..…………..) | |||||
Assistance | |||
17. |
What
assistance are you getting? (Circle all
responses) |
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No |
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No | ||
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No | ||
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No | ||
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No | ||
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No | ||
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No | ||
| |||
18. |
What
assistance do you require? (Prompt all
responses) |
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No |
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No | ||
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No | ||
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No | ||
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No | ||
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No | ||
|
1 =
Yes 2 = No | ||
|
Ward Name |
Ward Number |
Number of Homesteads
Visited |
|
3 |
552 |
|
4 |
505 |
|
10 |
530 |
|
11 |
539 |
|
12 |
593 |
|
13 |
526 |
|
14 |
560 |
|
15 |
576 |
|
19 |
522 |
|
20 |
520 |
|
21 |
520 |
|
24 |
572 |
|
25 |
549 |
|
26 |
523 |
|
28 |
569 |
|
29 |
594 |
|
30 |
570 |
|
31 |
503 |
|
32 |
526 |
|
33 |
576 |
|
34 |
524 |
|
35 |
518 |
|
36 |
520 |
|
37 |
602 |
|
42 |
513 |
|
43 |
513 |
Total |
14,137 |
[1] Informal trading includes; flea market, tuck
shop, vending, skilled/artisan, offering accommodation, and petty trade.
[3] Matapi; Matererine Flat;
National Mbare; Sunnidale; Southerton; Kambuzuma 2; Kambuzuma 6; Dzvirasekwa;
New and Old Mabvuku; New and Old Tafara Egypt, Lusaka, Jerusalem Highfields;
Glen Norah; Glen Norah C; Glenview 1; Glenview 2; Budirio 1; Budirio 2; Mufakose
1; Mufakose 2; Mufakose 3; Warren Park D; and Hatcliff
[4] Affected means 1)
demolished structures at homesteads, lost shelter, lost livelihood and children
not attending school.
[5] Informal trading includes; flea market, tuck
shop, vending, skilled/artisan, offering accommodation, and petty trade.