Collaborative efforts strengthen resilience in Zimbabwe’s vulnerable communities

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe - In a joint initiative between the Government of Zimbabwe, the European Union, FAO, and UNICEF, the Enhanced Resilience for Vulnerable Households in Zimbabwe (ERVHIZ) project has made significant strides in improving the lives of thousands of households across the country. Through a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach, the project has tackled pressing issues of climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, water and sanitation, and nutrition.

The project, which ran for the past four years, has had a profound impact on the lives of over 345 000 people across 6 districts of Matabeleland South, as highlighted by the speakers at the event.

"The true measure of our success lives in the stories and testimonies of the farmers and community members whose lives have been transformed," said the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Matabeleland South, Eveline Ndlovu, underscoring the project's holistic approach to enhancing nutrition, resilience, and overall well-being.

Climate resilience and adaptation

Speaking at the event, a senior government official highlighted the project's focus on climate resilience and adaptation. "As governments, we have adopted climate-smart practices, and we are now cognizant of the various risks farmers face in adopting such practices in their respective districts. Scaling up these efforts will be critical as we work to ensure our communities are better equipped to cope with future climate changes," said the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development in Zimbabwe, Anxious Masuka.

The ERVHIZ project introduced a variety of sustainable farming practices aimed at increasing agricultural productivity while conserving natural resources. "The project has contributed to the government's commitment to decentralization, resilience-building, and sustainable development," said the European Union (EU) Operations Manager, David Palacios.

Inclusive development and empowerment

Empowering communities, particularly women and youth, has been a key priority of the ERVHIZ project. "The project has worked towards ensuring the participation of women and youth in agriculture, directly contributing to the goals of reducing poverty and providing equal opportunities," said the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Matabeleland South, Eveline Ndlovu.

One remarkable success story was that of a woman farmer who demonstrated her commercial savvy and commitment to addressing food security in her village. "She is an outstanding farmer, a demonstration of brilliance in the village," the Minister of Agriculture praised.

The project has also focused on behavior change and the integration of traditional practices. "We must take it upon ourselves to be responsible for the behavior change of our communities," the Minister of Agriculture emphasized. "Let us try to go back to the old times and produce healthy, nutritious foods to the benefit of our families and communities."

Water, sanitation, and nutrition

Access to clean water and proper sanitation has been a crucial component of the project. "Over 25,000 households have gained access to water services for multiple and cross-sectoral use, including domestic, school, and irrigation purposes," said the FAO Representative in Zimbabwe, Patrice Talla.

The project has also made significant strides in improving nutrition. "Nutrition-sensitive agriculture has helped families grow diverse, nutritious foods, ensuring children receive the essential nutrients they need," the EU representative explained. "Parents have also been empowered with knowledge of better feeding practices, strengthening families and entire communities," the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution added.

The project's impact was evident in the care groups and young mothers observed during a site visit. "They confirmed that there was no malnourished child in the ward," the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Matabeleland South noted, "a testament to the empowerment of these communities."

The UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, Zeinab Adam noted that the establishment of nutrition care groups has been instrumental in promoting healthy eating practices and reducing wasting levels, particularly during the recent El Niño-induced drought.

“Through this project, Nearly 12,000 households have improved sanitation, drastically reducing the risk of water-borne diseases that claim the lives of too many young children; More than 45,000 households, including 20,000 children under five, have benefited from essential nutrition services, helping children grow up stronger, healthier, and better prepared for the future,” asserted Zeinab Adam

Early warning and emergency response

The ERVHIZ project has also demonstrated the importance of early warning systems and anticipatory action. "The rapid response mechanism in the program has been a game-changer, proving that early action prevents disasters, saves lives, and strengthens long-term resilience," the EU representative said.

The project's ability to swiftly deliver life-saving interventions during emergencies, such as the El Niño-induced drought, has been crucial in protecting vulnerable communities.

Strengthening resilience through knowledge and infrastructure

In addition to the practical achievements, the project has also created valuable knowledge resources and infrastructure that can be leveraged for future resilience-building efforts.

"The project has created the necessary knowledge resources for reference and use by government and communities," said Eveline Ndlovu. "In addition to the infrastructure that has been established and rehabilitated, we can already see experience from areas being brought into future programs such as two and other resilience building interventions," she added.

Transitioning to government ownership, vision and continued support

Minister Anxious Masuka added, "Scaling up nutrition-sensitive agriculture, investing in early warning systems, and continuing to empower communities to lead and sustain these solutions will be crucial as we move forward."

The project's alignment with the Government of Zimbabwe's vision for a prosperous and empowered society by 2030 has been a key factor in its success. Minister Anxious Masuka, highlighted the importance of the project's contributions to the country's agricultural strategy, which emphasizes climate-smart agriculture and sustainable practices.

"The collaborative nature of this project has been instrumental in amplifying this impact by bringing together several UN agencies, general partners and private sector and community members," said Patrice Talla. "We have been able to leverage our collective expertise and resources to create lasting changes," he added.

Minister Anxious Masuka also called for continued support from partners like the European Union to achieve the country's vision for resilient and food-secure communities.

"I urge the European Union to look beyond this project and begin to provide additional resources that you do the impacts have been spoken about in terms of range rate improvement," said Minister Anxious Masuka.

As the project nears its end, the review and lessons learned event serves as a platform to share insights and inspire others to follow in the footsteps of successful collaborations, ultimately creating a more resilient and food-secure world.

Through this collaborative effort, the ERVHIZ project has demonstrated the power of multi-sectoral cooperation in building resilient and sustainable communities in Zimbabwe. As the project transitions to government ownership, stakeholders remain committed to building on this foundation and ensuring the long-term well-being of the country's most vulnerable populations.

As the ERVHIZ project transitions into government ownership, stakeholders emphasized the need to sustain and expand the gains made. "We must ensure the water, sanitation, and hygiene systems are strengthened, so that every child in every village has access to clean water and proper sanitation," the EU representative stated.