by Staff Reporter

The European Union (EU) has increased its support towards the vulnerable in Zimbabwe by availing an additional 14.2 million euros (about 16.63 million U.S. dollars) to assist people in need, to cope with COVID-19 and adverse weather conditions.

The additional support to Zimbabwe is part of a 64.7 million euros package that the EU's Department for Humanitarian Aid provided for countries in the Southern Africa region.

EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic said the support was targeting those affected by drought.

"The aid package will also strengthen the preparation and response to the coronavirus pandemic for countries in the region. In parallel, the EU is helping communities better prepare for natural hazards and reduce their impact," he said.

The funding will provide food assistance to vulnerable households and help subsistence farmers to boost productivity. It will also target COVID-19 prevention and preparedness actions to support local health systems bogged by illegal sanctions and facilitate access to health care, protective equipment, sanitation and hygiene.

Other countries that benefited from the assistance funds include Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia and Zambia.

Agriculture is Zimbabwe’s second largest foreign currency earner after mining.  A significant portion of industrial raw materials are also drawn from agriculture. It is a source of livelihoods for thousands of people directly or indirectly especially those in the rural areas.

Observers say the gesture by the EU might be indicative of thawing relations. The bloc has since eased the long standing sanctions it imposed on Zimbabwe by removing some senior government executives from a list of officials banned from visiting Europe.

The observers say they view this development as an acknowledgement of progress made in terms of the broad reform agenda that Zimbabwe has set itself and to which it is fully committed.