Staff Reporter

The Government of Zimbabwe and the World Bank Group signed a financing agreement of US$6.6 million, to be channelled toward the Zimbabwe COVID-19 Emergency Response Project (ZCERP).

During the signing ceremony, in Harare yesterday, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube said, “While Government has already committed at least $100million to finance vaccine procurement, we are pleased to sign this agreement as it will enable us to leverage our existing efforts through a package of prioritized inefficiencies and inequalities in access and uptake of vaccines, and other selected COVID-19 response activities,”

Speaking at the same occasion, the World Bank Country Director for Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania and Malawi, Mara Warwick, explained the significance of the grant in the management of COVID-19 and in strengthening the capacity system of the other related health systems in Zimbabwe.

“The project ZCERP will provide essential resources to support the deployment of vaccines that meet the World Bank’s Vaccine Approval Criteria, improving health system capacity for a sustained and comprehensive pandemic response in Zimbabwe.

“The World Bank recognises the adverse impacts of COVID-19 on lives and livelihoods and this support will ensure adequate vaccine deployment activities including outreach, equipment and training of health care workers,” Warwick said.

The project will finance activities that increase community level knowledge on vaccination benefits vis a vis risks through strengthening communication and community engagement, while also enhancing the capacity of health workers to implement appropriate infection prevention control measures.  It will be implemented by the Catholic Organisation for Relief and Development Aid (CORDAID-Project Implementing Entity), a climate friendly related health system strengthening component that supports vaccine deployment.  It will finance capacity building, climate-friendly cold chain equipment including solar direct drive refrigerators, refrigerated trucks and installation and maintenance of solar systems in health facilities.

ZCERP builds on US$7 million in financing that the World Bank mobilised in operational support to the health sector in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.