USAID/ZIMBABWE:
Program Summary
Zimbabwe-American Bilateral Relationship – Long and Proud
Zimbabwe and the United States of America have an important relationship
that goes back to the founding of this nation in 1980. At Independence,
the United States made strong commitments to the new Republic
to play a major role in its post-liberation struggle reconstruction
and in helping it establish itself as a vitally important partner
on the African continent.
Those commitments have been translated into over US$892 million
in assistance since 1980. USAID is proud of the support it has
provided in a variety of important development programs in education,
public health (including child survival, family planning and HIV/AIDS
prevention), agriculture, natural resources management (principally
the CAMPFIRE Programme), drought/disaster, micro, small and medium
enterprises and private sector as well as support to a host of
important Zimbabwean government and NGO institutions.
The relationship has been overwhelmingly mutually beneficial.
Zimbabwe’s historical role as an economic locomotive and regional
“anchor” of political stability has been well worth the investment.
Zimbabweans are right to be proud of their many successes and
the United States is proud of its long and continuing relationship.
USAID’s Current Program – A Strategic
Response
Zimbabwe is going through a difficult period in its history.
Zimbabweans are facing hardships they have not yet experienced
in their young history. USAID has recently refined its program
to focus on three areas where it has a comparative advantage to
assist Zimbabwe to successfully move through the current tumultuous
period and into a country to be emulated by others. In considering
our finite resources and potential strategic points of entry,
we worked with our Zimbabwean partners to define those areas where
we could make the most impact. We believe U.S. assistance will
make the biggest difference in three strategic areas:
USAID/Zimbabwe is a team of 64 Zimbabwean and 9 American
employees. We are committed to moving Zimbabwean staff into positions
of leadership and empowerment. Our five year program budget is
approximately US$15 million per year. Our philosophy is one of
facilitating, not leading the work of our Zimbabwean partners
who guide the design and implementation of the USG assistance
program.
Joining Hands in the Battle Against HIV/AIDS
Our top priority is the mitigation of the devastating HIV/AIDS
crisis through information and behavior change technologies.
The program focuses on:
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Sponsoring New Start voluntary HIV counseling and
testing services
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Strengthening local NGOs’ capacity to provide prevention
and care services
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Expanding private sector availability of Protector Plus male
condoms and the CARE female contraceptive sheath
-
Working with the National AIDS Council on policy issues
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Increasing awareness through press, TV and radio (print and
electronic media)
-
Helping communities cope with orphans
Budget: approximately US$10 million annually.
Citizens’ Participation in Economic and Political
Decision-Making
Our principal Zimbabwean partners (including Parliament and civil
society) helped us devise a strategy to strengthen civil society
and selected government institutions (Parliament, local government,
land reform institutions). The goal is to increase dialogue between
civil society and government institutions so that concerns of
the citizens are more adequately addressed. The program includes:
-
Supporting civil society advocacy efforts on issues that
they perceive to be important (e.g., the business
environment, the government budget, urban taxpayers’ demand
for services, and the rights for women, children and minorities).
-
Assisting Parliament so that it might better represent citizen
interests.
-
Developing capacity of local governments to receive citizen
input in decision-making.
Budget: approximately US$4 million annually.
Providing Economic Opportunities for Disadvantaged
Groups
The informal sector is seen as the most viable way of creating
employment and income for the poor majority. Disadvantaged groups
may include residents living below the poverty line, women, subsistence
farmers and farm workers, orphans and others affected by HIV/AIDS.
The program includes:
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Increasing access to micro-finance services
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Improving business capacity through skills training
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Commercial linkages, agribusiness, market opportunities for
subsistence farmers
-
HIV/AIDS economic mitigation incorporated into all activities
Budget: approximately US$2 million annually.
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