Zimbabwe

ADF Programs in Zimbabwe

ADF initiated an operational presence in Zimbabwe in October 2003, with the primary aim to establish project activities that support capacity building and community advocacy initiatives in the region of Rusitu Valley, Eastern Manicaland Province. In collaboration with its national partner, the United Baptist Church of Zimbabwe (UBCZ), ADF has undertaken several steps to develop a broad-based assistance strategy that responds to both immediate, as well as longer-term development needs in this rugged mountainous region.

Although ADF’s program activities in Zimbabwe are in the beginning stages, much progress has been gained in a short period. For example, a highly successful effort was undertaken in early October, to provide 65 metric tonnes of much-needed maize and vegetable seeds to 5.000 farming families prior to the commencement of the planting season. Due to drought conditions experienced over the previous 2 years, complicated by severe economic decline in the country, rural families are presently in a desperate situation with virtually no access to seeds that can be planted to ensure adequate food reserves. However, with the support of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), the German agency HELP, and UBCZ, ADF was able to facilitate a significant contribution to regional food security in Rusitu during 2003-04.

This objective was achieved through a coordinated effort to engage community leadership structures to generate beneficiary lists and to target families in as wide a geographic area as possible. ADF selected four seed distribution points (SDPs) where school facilities and adequate roads provided maximum access to a total of 45 villages, many of which are located in extremely remote areas along the Mozambican border. As a result of ADF’s strong commitment and institutional support to the disadvantaged population of Rusitu Valley, food requirements for tens of thousands of individuals will be met.

Another significant program achievement for ADF in Zimbabwe during 2003, included a comprehensive technical assessment involving the rehabilitation and development of Rusitu Mission Hospital, a 2nd level medical institution serving over 50.000 local residents. This important regional hospital has been in a severe state of deterioration since cyclone Eline impacted the area nearly 4 years ago. ADF’s involvement in establishing plans for the rehabilitation of the hospital helped to generate significant support from European and other donor agencies. UBCZ’s National Executive Council has therefore recently appointed ADF as lead technical agency responsible for advising and recommending all future rehabilitation activities and project coordination at Rusitu Mission Station.

Future Programming

ADF will continue to build upon its initial successes in 2003, by strengthening its support to hard hit communities in Eastern Zimbabwe. Rusitu Hospital will remain a focal point for ADF programming in 2004, with plans being developed to establish urgently required staff housing that will accommodate new nursing staff and their families. The recruitment and engagement of these crucial staff depends entirely upon the construction of these housing units. ADF will also further establish and strengthen its technical role in the overall rehabilitation and development of this essential medical institution.

In addition, ADF plans to conduct a series of community workshops in Rusitu focusing on leadership capacity building, vocational skills, training of trainers, HIV/AIDS education, community advocacy, and other relevant subjects that impact the lives of rural inhabitants on a daily basis. These workshops will be tailored to suit the specific needs of priority communities and targeted groups within the region.

In so doing, ADF will concentrate on strengthening and promoting identified civil society groups having direct influence on challenges that face rural families, particularly women, orphans, and youth impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The overall aim will be to assist in removing cultural stigmas, provide access to treatment, facilitate improved mechanisms for home based care, and provide opportunities for HIV/AIDS education and awareness campaigns.

In the current environment of emergency assistance programs, ADF will not only continue to pursue opportunities for joint collaboration with existing humanitarian projects in the upcoming year, but also foster other possibilities for direct project funding with the donor community in Zimbabwe. ADF looks forward to a transition period when emergency funding will be replaced with programs designed to re-build the country’s health and educational sectors, as well as promote democratic institutions, civil society groups, good governance, the rule of law, a free and fair political process, and a return to democratic principles.