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Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
A NON-PROFIT organisation, Green Governance Zimbabwe Trust, in partnership with a development partner, Action Aid, has embarked on a climate change mitigating programme in four low lying districts in the country.
In Manicaland, Chipinge and Chimanimani are set to benefit, while Mbire in Mashonaland Central and Binga in Matabeleland North will also benefit.
The programme, dubbed the ‘Strategic Partnership Project (Spart2)’ comes at a time when the impact of climate change is being felt by communities in low lying areas.
Speaking during the inception meeting in Chipinge early this week, Green Governance Zimbabwe Trust director, Mr Fank Mpahlo said climate change is now a living reality, hence the need to introduce mitigating measures at village level.
Mr Mpahlo said the programme targets youths and women who are grappling more with the effects of climate change.
“Climate change is mostly affecting women and youths. We therefore intend to co-create alternatives with these target groups to improve their adaptive capacity to climate change,” he said.
Mr Mpahlo said the strategic partnership will run until 2025, adding that they will be working with local environmental groups.
“Cyclones have been recurrent in these areas during the past 10 years, therefore our overall objective is to ensure the targeted population know their roles in implementing green economic alternatives that will improve their livelihoods by 2025,” he said.
Speaking during the same event, Chief Mapungwana welcomed the programme and said it will go a long way in conserving the environment.
“As the local traditional leadership, we play a major role in conserving the environment. All programmes that protect our flora and fauna are welcome.
“We hope the programme will leave villagers well equipped with skills on how to have a green environment in order to fight climate change,’’ said Chief Mapungwana.
Online Reporter