THE European Union (EU) has stepped up its humanitarian efforts in Zimbabwe through an additional US$60 million (EUR 53 million) under its National Indicative Programme.
By Michael Gwarisa
The funds will directly support Zimbabwe in the fields of health and resilience building. In a statement, the EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Timo Olkkonen said, “US$38 million will support public health service delivery by strengthening primary care systems, capacitating human resources and enhancing community participation.”
US$18 million will support household and communities in vulnerable situations across the country by increasing their capacities to respond to food and nutrition security stocks.
He added that the top up now seed the EU contribution to to the Zimbabwe reaching US$320 million under the National Indicative programme for the period 2014-2020.
“These two actions came at a critical time to support the people who are facing difficult economic times.”
The EU development cooperation with Zimbabwe under the 11th EDF (2014-2020) national indicative program amounting to US$260 million before this top up, focuses on the local sectors, health, agriculture based economic development, as well as governance and institution building.