Climate resilience funding for Zimbabwe

Masvingo (New Ziana) At least 26 districts in Zimbabwe will benefit from funding being availed by the Green Climate Fund to resuscitate irrigation schemes as part of efforts to build climate resilience in the country.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as an operating entity of the Financial Mechanism to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change.

Its objective is to “support projects, programmes, policies and other activities in developing country Parties using thematic funding windows”.

In Zimbabwe, at least 26 districts have been identified in Matabeleland South, Manicaland and Msvingo where projects will be rolled out to build climate resilience among rural communities over the next seven years.

At least six districts in Masvingo will benefit namely Bikita, Chiredzi, Chivi, Masvingo, Mwenezi and Zaka where Bindangombe, Nyahombe, Muzhwi, Zvirakwe, Gororo, Pikinini, Jawanda and Chizumba irrigation schemes would be modernized and have solar power installed.

Stakeholders in Masvingo heard last weekend that the Green Climate Fund had availed US$26.6 million for irrigation projects in the southern parts of the country to build climate resilience of vulnerable communities.

The project is a joint venture between the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement and the United Nations Development Programme.

Launching the project in Masvingo, MLAWRR representative Simbarashe Mupodyi said it was aimed contributing towards the National Development Strategy of strengthening resources and irrigation during climate change.

Speaking at the same occasion, UNDP programme analyst, Jeremiah Mushoshe said the programme would run for seven years and sought to improve the livelihoods of communities through agriculture.

New Ziana