CARE Zimbabwe, alongside a coalition of local and international partners officially launched two significant development initiatives in Masvingo Province, designed to enhance climate change adaptation and long-term food security for over 200 000 vulnerable individuals.
The projects, dubbed RECLAIM and JSB, will be implemented across several districts, including Chivi, Mwenezi, Beitbridge, and Chiredzi, areas frequently affected by droughts and environmental shocks.
The larger of the two, the RECLAIM Project, aims to support an estimated 193,000 people, with a specific focus on empowering women, youth, and marginalized groups. The initiative centers on fostering comprehensive climate resilience, ecosystem conservation, and the establishment of sustainable livelihoods.
Related Stories
Project implementation will be a collaborative effort led by CARE Zimbabwe, working with local organizations including Cesvi, Mwenezi Development Training Centre, and the Gonarezhou Conservancy Trust. The initiative is backed by high-profile international support, featuring the United Nations Development Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the European Union, and the Embassy of Ireland.
The second initiative, the Japan Supplementary Budget Project, targets 10,000 smallholder farmers in Chivi and Mwenezi districts. This project focuses specifically on transitioning farming communities toward climate-smart agricultural practices.
The JSB Project interventions include the adoption of improved seed varieties, training in modern post-harvest technologies to minimize losses, and capacity building for both on-farm and off-farm income-generating activities. Supported by the Japan Supplementary Budget and UNDP, the initiative prioritizes building sustainable income streams, particularly for women and youth, strengthening community-level food security in the face of erratic weather patterns.
CARE Zimbabwe stated that the projects represent an integrated approach to systemic challenges. "This joint effort, leveraging funding from Japan, the EU, and the Embassy of Ireland, allows us to address immediate food needs while building the foundational skills and ecological resilience necessary for long-term self-sufficiency in these disaster-prone regions," the organization said.
The dual launch marks a substantial investment in climate adaptation for Masvingo, with partners committed to creating a more resilient and sustainable future for the province's rural communities through 2029.
Leave Comments