By Derick Tsimba

Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement has said the provincial and district inception launch of Government of Zimbabwe/United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) Green Climate Fund project on building climate resilience for agricultural livelihoods in South Eastern Zimbabwe is progressing, with inceptions having been launched in Masvingo, Chiredzi and Chipinge.

The Ministry of Lands today said provincial and district inception launch of the project in South Eastern Zimbabwe is underway in Masvingo, Chiredzi and Chipinge.

The Ministry said UNDP was working with Government of Zimbabwe to advance global goals and was leaving no one behind by 2030.

On its twitter handle, @UNDPZimbabwe also said, “Community involvement has been key in rebuilding homes destroyed by #CycloneIdai. Local carpenters & builders Woman construction worker were hired from Chimanimani & Chipinge to support the restoration work with financial support from @ChineseZimbabwe  we are #BuildingBackBetter houses, schools & clinics. US$26.6 million GCF-financed, UNDP-supported project will improve food security and strengthen resilience.”

The Harare Post has learnt that as from 10 November 2020, Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, Climate Change Department and UNDP Zimbabwe, launched the Green Climate Fund (GCF)-financed ‘Building Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Zimbabwe project.'

The US$26.6 million initiative aims to reach 2.3 million vulnerable smallholder farmers in Manicaland, Masvingo and Matabeleland South, improve food security, and build resilience for people whose lives and livelihoods are being put at risk in the face of climate risks and impacts.

Zimbabwe should lobby for more Green Climate funding during UNFCCC COP26 Conference to be held next year to enhance adaptation and mitigation strategies and programmes.