Zimbabwe’s government has adopted new guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for treating people living with HIV, but there may not be enough money to implement these policies. The new WHO guidelines recommend that countries start giving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to HIV-positive people with a CD4 count (which measures immune system strength) of 350 or less, rather than at the previously recommended count of 200. Around 226,000 people are obtaining ARVs from Zimbabwe’s public health system, leaving a treatment gap of about 340,000, but the new guidelines mean that at least half a million people will now qualify for treatment, at a cost of US$7 per person per month. This is a positive move in terms of ensuring access to drugs treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. Food Security: Food distribution has been carried out in districts across the country. As of 30 June 2010, the Safety Net (SN) programmes led by WFP reached a total 190,470 people with 3,536 MT of food, equivalent to 65% of both planned food delivery and beneficiaries. Distributions were completed at 65% beneficiary and tonnage achievement owing to contractual negotiations which had not been finalized. Planting of the 2010 winter wheat crop is underway. As of 25 June, a total of 12,723 Ha had been prepared and 9,764 Ha planted. The Government has set the target area for the crop at 45,000 Ha requiring 5,400 MT of seeds as well as 22,500 MT Compound D and 18,000 MT ammonium nitrate fertilizer. The crop stage varies from emergency to early vegetative and the condition is fair to good across the provinces. Indications from the 2010 Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) reveal that the food security situation is similar to that which prevailed last year at the national level, but different at the sub-national level. A total of 1.3 million rural people, comprising about 221,000 households (HH), will not be able to meet their minimum cereal needs during the peak hunger period from January to March 2011. This represents about 15% of the total rural population. In the current quarter from July to September 2010, about 540,000 people or 86,000 HHs require food assistance. The total cereal entitlement gap summed across all households is estimated at 98,000 MT. Due to the improved availability of cereals, the price of maize grain has continued to decline. The average price of a bucket of maize is US$5 in Beitbridge district in Matabeleland South, whilst for Gokwe South and Shurugwi districts in the Midlands province, the prices are lower at $2.45 and $3.67 respectively. Gokwe South and Shurugwi districts are better cereal production regions than Beitbridge hence the lower maize grain prices. Owing to favourable rainfall conditions received in Matabeleland North province, traditionally semi-arid districts such as Bubi and Tsholotsho districts have reported high production levels of small grains that they are only failing to market due to low demand. The livestock situation indicates fair grazing and cattle conditions. Water is still currently available for livestock use. However, as the year progresses water shortages are anticipated and livestock will have to travel long distances to the nearest water source. Education: Zimbabwe’s education sector received a boost through a US$10.5 million grant from the European Commission (EC) for the Education Transition Fund (ETF). The signing ceremony between the Government of Zimbabwe, the European Commission (EC) and the UN took place on 24 March. CIVIL SOCIETY MONITORING MECHANISM (CISOMM) SIX MONTH SHADOW REPORT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE INCLUSIVE OF ZIMBABWE 22