Providing Economic Opportunities for Disadvantaged Groups

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.

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:

• HIV/AIDS prevention;

• Increasing dialogue between the citizenry and their government institutions; and

• Enabling the most disadvantaged groups greater access to micro-finance and related business support services.

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:

• Sponsoring New Start voluntary HIV counseling and testing services

• Strengthening local NGOs’ capacity to provide prevention and care services

• Expanding private sector availability of Protector Plus male condoms and the CARE female contraceptive sheath

• Working with the National AIDS Council on policy issues

• 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:

• Increasing access to micro-finance services

• Improving business capacity through skills training

• 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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