The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
THE United Nations has expressed confidence in the Government’s commitment to revive the economy, stating that it has committed more than $8 million towards various sectors in the country over the past few years.
UN Zimbabwe information officer, Mrs Tafadzwa Mwale said the United Nations system in Zimbabwe had to date contributed $8,12 million in assistance under an organ formed under the organisation.
“The United Nations System in Zimbabwe welcomes the expressed commitment of the new leadership in Government towards social cohesion and peace, economic recovery, job creation, improved quality delivery of social services, firm stance on anti-corruption, accelerated reform efforts, including in the public sector, human security, credible, transparent and peaceful elections in 2018 and re-engagement with the international community,” said Mrs Mwale.
She said UN was reaffirming its commitment to supporting Zimbabwe to advance sustainable, rights-based and inclusive development for all and strongly supports the new Government’s commitment and efforts towards re-engagement with the International Financial Institutions.
“The UN System commits to scale-up its joint support to national efforts. In so doing, the UN remains committed to the principle of national ownership and leadership, under the overarching collective commitment to leaving no one behind, with a special focus on the most vulnerable populations, particularly children, youth, girls and women,” said Mrs Mwale.
She said UN’s support towards Zimbabwe was guided by the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework.
Zundaf is one of UN’s strategic programme frameworks, established to support inclusive growth and sustainable development in Zimbabwe.
“The current Zundaf programme cycle covers five years, 2016-2020, with a planned budget of $1,6 billion. Zundaf is developed with the Government and in consultation with national and international stakeholders including NGOs, Civil Society organisations and development partners.
“The current Zundaf incorporates principles of disaster risk reduction, recovery and development,” said Mrs Mwale, adding that Zundaf had so far contributed $8,12 million in development grants, ranking Zimbabwe among the top-10 largest UN development portfolios globally.
She said UN has key areas it is focusing on, which include food and nutrition security.
“With a focus on policy and action frameworks for enabling agricultural productivity and production as well as resilience building of vulnerable labour endowed communities and targeted food and nutrition assistance for communities affected by the effects of climate change — such as recurrent droughts and flooding,” she said.
Other key areas include gender equality, where she said UN would support the establishment of laws, policies and frameworks to ensure women’s empowerment, gender equality and equity.
“HIV and Aids: focusing on universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Poverty reduction and value addition: including economic management and pro-poor development; decent employment opportunities; resilience building of vulnerable labour endowed communities and generation and utilisation of data.
“Public administration and governance: including justice and rule of law; peace building; accountability; human rights and people’s participation in democratic processes. Social services and protection: with a focus on improved access to and utilisation of quality and equitable education, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, and social protection services,” she said.
@peterkmatika
